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Counting of votes for District Council Ordinary Election completed (with photos)
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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
      
     The counting of votes of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election was completed at 7.58am today (December 11). The count for both District Committees constituencies (DCCs) and District Council geographical constituencies (DCGCs) commenced after the close of poll of DCGCs at midnight on December 10. The counting of about 2 454 DCC ballot papers and about 1 193 193 DCGC ballot papers was completed in about eight hours.
      
     "Despite failure of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) system during polling which causes an extension of polling hours accordingly, the election was finally completed in a smooth manner with the concerted efforts by the electoral staff. The system error of the EPR system does not impact on the safe and orderly conduct of the election in an open, honest and fair manner. The EAC is satisfied with the arrangements," the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, said on conclusion of the election.
      
     "The Chief Executive has instructed the EAC to establish a dedicated investigation team led by the EAC member Mr Bernard Man, SC, and comprised of members from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Information Technology Management Division of the Registration and Electoral Office. Experienced personnel will also be invited to the team to undergo investigation and thorough review to prevent reoccurrence of a similar incident."
      
     The EAC will conduct a detailed review of various electoral arrangements including the failure incident involving the EPR system. A report will be submitted to the Chief Executive within three months as prescribed by the law.
      
     Mr Justice Lok said, "The Chief Electoral Officer is required by the law to retain in his custody the ballot papers and election documents for six months. Unless otherwise directed by an order of court, no person is allowed to inspect any ballot paper. The ballot papers and relevant documents shall be destroyed immediately after the deadline."
      
     The EAC is very thankful to the bureaux/departments which participated in the election, especially the members of the Crisis Management Committee including the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Registration and Electoral Office, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Police, the Home Affairs Department, the Information Services Department and the Department of Justice for their various support. In addition, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Correctional Services Department and other law enforcement agencies made appropriate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the election.
      
     Mr Justice Lok said, despite of the incident, we should not overlook that the election is a result of the concerted efforts of colleagues who performed their duties professionally. A number of polling stations and counting stations were set up for the election this time with a huge amount of resources and manpower involved. The Commission extends special thanks to staff of the Registration and Electoral Office and polling and counting stations for their contributions and efforts to handle a large amount of work in their respective positions.
      
     Last but not least, the EAC would like to thank all electors for casting their votes and understanding, media reporting the electoral affairs, candidates and their agents for their co-operation so that the polling and counting processes were conducted openly, honestly and fairly, and in a safe and orderly manner.
 
Ends/Monday, December 11, 2023
Issued at HKT 10:40
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Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok (second right), and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai (second left), empty a ballot box at the District Committees constituency counting station of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at Ng Wah Catholic Secondary School last night (December 10). Also present are the EAC members Professor Daniel Shek (first left) and Mr Bernard Man, SC (first right).
The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice David Lok (back row, second left) and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai (back row, first left), inspect the counting process of a District Committees constituency of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at Ng Wah Catholic Secondary School last night (December 10).
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited the polling station of 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at Queen's College early this morning (December 11). Photo shows Mr Lee (second right); the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok (second left); the EAC members Professor Daniel Shek (first left) and Mr Bernard Man, SC (first right), emptying a ballot box.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited the polling station of 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at Queen’s College early this morning (December 11).  Photo shows Mr Lee (second right); the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok (second left); the EAC members Professor Daniel Shek (first left) and Mr Bernard Man, SC (first right), inspecting the counting process.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second right), together with the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok (second left); the EAC members Professor Daniel Shek (first left) and Mr Bernard Man, SC (first right), meet the media after visiting the polling station of 2023 District Council Ordinary Election at Queen's College early this morning (December 11).
The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok (fourth left); EAC members Professor Daniel Shek (fifth left) and Mr Bernard Man, SC (third left), meet the media to conclude the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election this morning (December 11). Also present are the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Tony Wong (second left), and the Chief Electoral Officer of the Registration and Electoral Office, Mr Raymond Wang (first left).