Mutual respect for diverse views Make best efforts to ensure a fair, safe and honest election
17 November 2019
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The 2019 District Council (DC) Ordinary Election will take place next Sunday (24 November), with 1 090 validly nominated candidates running for 452 seats in the 18 districts. Over 600 ordinary polling stations will be open on the polling day for more than 4.13 million registered electors to cast their votes and elect their representatives. It is the first time in the history of DC Ordinary Election that none of the seats are uncontested.
This upcoming election is a very important platform. We believe that candidates, electors and other members of the community all wish for its smooth proceeding. The ongoing violence has indeed posed unprecedented challenges to the Government’s preparation work. Yet we will make every endeavour to ensure that the Election will be held smoothly in accordance with the relevant legislation and in a fair, impartial, open, safe and honest environment.
Hong Kong has all along been a pluralistic, open and inclusive society upholding the rule of law and having a very good election culture. We expect candidates and electors of different political stances to express their views in a peaceful and rational manner with due respect for each other. The Government strongly condemns the recent attacks on candidates during their election campaigns, the threats to electioneering teams and their supporters, the vandalism of DC Members’ offices and promotional materials, and worse still, the arson cases which posed imminent danger to public safety. The Police will continue to strictly enforce the law to safeguard the community. I must emphasise that any infringement of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance will result in criminal liability. The maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $500,000. Members of the public are urged to stay rational and refrain from any attempt to defy the law.
The Election is just a week away. I would like to call on all sectors of the community to return to rationality, keep calm, exercise restraint, stop violence as well as respect and be tolerant with people with different political views, so that the Election can be held in a peaceful and orderly manner. Election is a solemn matter. The electoral procedures are strictly sanctioned by the relevant electoral legislation. Anyone who is not satisfied with the electoral arrangements can make complaints or submit election petitions through judicial proceedings to resolve the disputes.
As in previous major elections, the election contingency plan includes setting up a Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to deal with crises related to the DC Ordinary Election and tender advice to the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC). Under the law, the Election or the poll or count may be adjourned if it appears to the Chief Executive, the EAC or the Presiding Officer that the Election or the poll or count is likely to be obstructed, disrupted, undermined or seriously affected by three types of occurrence, namely:
- a typhoon or other climatic condition of a serious nature;
- riot, open violence or any danger to public health or safety; or
- an occurrence which appears to be a material irregularity relating to the Election or the poll or count.
Relevant bureaux and departments will monitor the situation closely. In making an assessment of the situation, the CMC’s paramount considerations are the integrity and fairness of the election as well as the safety of electors and electoral staff.
As an integral part of Hong Kong’s political system, the DC plays an important role in promoting district management and development and its functions are highly regarded by the Government. What the society needs now is a genuinely fair, impartial, safe and honest election. Therefore, I hope the radical protestors will cease violence immediately. I also appeal to everyone to say no to violence so that social order can be resumed and the Election can be conducted smoothly in a peaceful environment. Electors can then exercise their civil right to elect representatives who will work for the well-being of Hong Kong people and propel the development of the city.
