Preparations for Subsector Elections in good progress

Preparations for the formation of the 800-member Election Committee get on smoothly as the nomination exercise for subsector elections is to start in around a month's time, a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.

A provisional register of 179,000 voters from 35 Election Committee subsectors has been published for them to check whether their names and addresses are correctly recorded. Voters may call the hotline - 2891 1001 or enquire by fax - 2891 1180 to check their data.

"Voters who have applied for registration but do not find their name on the register, or find any incorrect entries, may file a claim or an objection in person at the Registration and Electoral Office by this Saturday, April 29," the spokesman said.

A Revising Officer appointed by the Chief Justice will rule on cases of objections and claims to determine whether to correct, add or remove entries on the register.

"We shall publish a final register on May 25 listing the names and addresses of voters who are entitled to vote in the subsector elections on Sunday, July 9," he said.

Meanwhile, the Registration and Electoral Office is making arrangements to help candidates introduce themselves to their constituents. It is liaising with District Officers to identify suitable spots at public places for candidates to display election advertisements.

Public display spots will be fairly allocated to candidates by the drawing of lots after the nomination period closes.

"Prospective candidates and political groups are welcome to put forward suggestions to us if they have any suitable locations in mind," the spokesman said.

Suggestions should reach the Registration and Electoral Office, 14/F Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, by April 29. Submissions may be sent by fax to 2893 7535. Enquiries may be made on 2891 2523.

The nomination period for the subsector elections will run from May 31 to June 7. Any registered geographical constituency elector who is a registered voter for a subsector, or who has a substantial connection with a subsector, is eligible to run as a candidate for that subsector.

The Registration and Electoral Office will compile a leaflet carrying a message from every candidate and their personal particulars. The leaflet and a poll card will be mailed to voters at the end of June to remind them to vote.

About 100 polling stations will be open from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm on July 9. Every voter will be allocated to a polling station according to their home address as listed on the final register.

A total of 664 Election Committee members from 35 subsectors will be returned by elections. The number of seats allocated to each subsector ranges from 11 to 41. The subsectors represent various trades, professions, labour groups and district-based organisations.

Forty of the 800 Election Committee members will be nominated by six designated bodies of the religious subsector whereas 96 seats will be taken up by ex-officio members, namely Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Legislative Council.

A final register of all Election Committee members will be published within seven days after the results of the subsector elections are gazetted. The Election Committee will elect six Legislative Council members on September 10.