All billboards to go as LegCo elections get near

A territory-wide exercise to remove all billboards and posters at public places is mounted this week as the Legislative Council election period is due to begin in nine days' time (May 31).

The Electoral Affairs Commission has asked relevant authorities to revoke all the authorisations granted for displaying advertisements at public places. Designated spots will then be fairly apportioned for candidates to publicise themselves to voters next month.

"All kinds of publicity material at public places will be cleared before the start of the nomination period for the Election Committee subsector elections on May 31," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.

"Returning Officers will draw lots to allocate designated spots to candidates for displaying election advertisements after the nomination period closes on June 7," he said.

After the subsector elections on July 9, candidates have to remove their election advertisements. If they remain at the designated spots by July 16, seven days after the polling day, Government staff will clear the advertisements and charge the candidates concerned the cost of removal. This cost will be counted as election expenses.

The spokesman said all the advertisements for the subsector elections would be cleared before the start of the second stage of the Legislative Council elections: the nomination period for the general election will begin on July 20.

Candidates running for the general election will be allocated designated spots for displaying election advertisements after nominations close on August 2.

They are required to remove their advertisements by September 17, seven days after the polling day, or else Government staff will take action for them and charge them the cost of removal.

End / Monday, May 22, 2000