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

     In view of the 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections to be held on September 7 (Sunday), the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, chaired the first meeting of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) this afternoon (August 26) to deal with different circumstances that may arise during the By-elections, as well as to ensure the smooth conduct of the polling day.

     Mr Justice Lok said at the meeting, "To ensure that the By-elections will be conducted smoothly, I am aware that relevant bureaux and departments have entered the final stage of various preparatory work, including drawing up security and contingency plans."

     During the meeting, the EAC was briefed by representatives from relevant government departments, including the Digital Policy Office and the Hong Kong Police Force, on their assessments of cybersecurity and security risks respectively under different situations, and also on their preparatory work and contingency deployment planned for the polling day.

     In addition, in response to possible adverse weather conditions on the polling day of the By-elections, a representative from the Hong Kong Observatory was invited to attend the meeting to discuss and provide professional advice so that relevant departments can make appropriate contingency plans and response strategies. The Registration and Electoral Office, the Security Bureau, the Information Services Department, the Department of Justice and the Home Affairs Department also gave briefings on their preparatory or co-ordination work regarding the By-elections.

     Mr Justice Lok pointed out that the CMC will assist the EAC in closely monitoring the situation on the polling day of the By-elections and will handle situations caused by different incidents affecting the By-elections. The meeting today helped the EAC to better prepare and formulate contingency plans for the By-elections. He thanked all the bureaux and departments for their efforts in the preparations and arrangements for the By-elections. The EAC will strive to ensure that the By-elections will be conducted in an open, honest and fair manner in accordance with relevant electoral laws and guidelines as in the past.

     The CMC is part of the contingency mechanism for public elections. The CMC advises the EAC on matters that may affect the proceedings of the elections, such as inclement weather and issues of public health and safety. The CMC is chaired by the EAC Chairman and comprises all EAC members, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (or his representative) and representatives of relevant bureaux/departments.

Ends/Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:10

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