The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

     The counting of votes for the 2018 Legislative Council By-election was completed smoothly at 8am today (March 12).

     The counting of about 904 000 ballot papers of geographical constituencies and about 5 300 ballot papers of functional constituency was completed in about nine hours after polling ended last night (March 11).

     "The By-election was conducted in an open, fair and honest manner. Polling and the vote counting process went smoothly overall. The Electoral Affairs Commission is satisfied with the arrangements," the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, said after the announcement of all By-election results.

     The Commission will review various arrangements of the By-election. A report will be submitted to the Chief Executive within the next three months.

     The Commission thanked about 12 000 polling and counting staff and all the government departments involved for their contribution to the smooth conduct of the By-election. The Commission also thanked all the electors for voting, and the candidates and their agents for their co-operation, which enabled the conduct of the By-election in an open, fair and honest manner.

Ends/Monday, March 12, 2018
Issued at HKT 9:09

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