Hong Kong voters began casting ballots today, December 7, for the highly anticipated Eighth Legislative Council (LegCo) election, with polling stations open for an extended 16-hour period, running from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. local time. The election sees 161 candidates competing for 90 seats across three distinct categories—geographical constituencies, functional constituencies, and the Election Committee sector—as government officials urged high participation rates despite recent social tensions.
The city has established 615 general polling places, primarily located in public facilities like schools and community centers, accessible to eligible electors. This year’s contest features 51 hopefuls vying for 20 seats in ten geographical constituencies, 60 candidates competing for 30 seats in professional and commercial functional constituencies, and 50 individuals seeking the 40 seats allocated to the Election Committee sector, a slight reduction from the previous cycle.
Chief Executive Urges Participation Amid Push for Reform
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu cast his vote early this morning at the Raimondi College polling station, accompanied by his wife, Janet Lam Lai-cham. Lee described the voting process as smooth and praised the dedication of election staff, noting that the government implemented several measures to facilitate voting, including longer hours and the establishment of dedicated polling stations for civil servants and ethnic minorities.
In a direct appeal to the public, the Chief Executive emphasized the importance of high voter turnout. “This vote is crucial,” Lee stated, stressing that greater public participation is vital for safeguarding community interests and fostering overall societal development. “The more people who participate, the better it is,” he added.
Beyond the election, Lee addressed the recent tragedy—a devastating fire at the Tai Po Wan Fuk Court—pledging a thorough, impartial investigation and promoting systemic reforms. He announced that one of the new LegCo’s first orders of business would be for the government to introduce a motion addressing disaster relief and post-fire reconstruction efforts for those affected.
Prioritizing Impartial Investigations and Systemic Change
The Chief Executive reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability regarding the fire incident. Describing himself as an “impatient person,” Lee stated he is actively seeking a judge to head the inquiry and will engage with them immediately to determine the best path to uncover the truth and drive institutional improvements.
He stressed that the investigation findings would not wait for a complete final report but would be acted upon progressively to ensure swiftly addressing residents’ concerns and restoring public confidence. Lee affirmed that the process would be conducted with fairness and impartiality, using the revealed problems as catalysts for government policy adjustments.
The election campaign included numerous forums across various geographical and functional constituencies, where candidates debated crucial policy issues ranging from economic stimulus and infrastructure projects like the Northern Metropolis development to social issues such as elderly care, cross-boundary medical arrangements, and challenges facing commercial sectors.
As polls remain open late into the evening, local news outlets continue to provide real-time updates on turnout figures and election developments, offering citizens comprehensive coverage of this significant political event. The results of the election will determine the composition of the new legislative body tasked with scrutinizing government policies and shaping the city’s legal framework for the coming term.
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