The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) started the 2003 District Council election at 7:30 am Sunday. A total of 423 polling stations across Hong Kong are open from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm for about 2.4 million electors to cast their vote.

About 74 of the 400 constituencies have been elected unopposed. The remaining 326 seats in the 18 District Councils will be contested by 763 candidates.

Elections Well Prepared

One day ahead of the 2003 Hong Kong District Council elections, over 420 polling stations are fully prepared for the voting, while officials called for voters to exercise in action their civil rights by voting their favorite candidates.?

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam, Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho and Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) Woo Kwok-hing attended Saturday a TV promoting program inviting more eligible voters to go to the polling station on Sunday.

Stephen Lam told reporters that in the last six months, the Hong Kong government has taken various steps to encourage higher turnout and voter registration rates.

According to Lam, since late September and early October, promotions have been done through the media and in various districts to remind electorate of the voting date and the importance for them to exercise their voting right, so that the right people can be chosen to be representatives of the residents in the District Council.

"We should all know that voting is our rights that should be cherished," Patrick Ho said, adding that going to the polling station is the practical action to support Hong Kong's democratic development.

According to the Electoral Office, voters bring their Hong Kong identity cards on Sunday to the designated polling station and each voter will be given a chop bearing a "tick" to mark the ballot paper and cast their vote.

Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission Woo Kwok-hing and the other two members of the commission, Norman Leung and Elizabeth Shing, inspected polling stations in Hong Kong's 18 districts to see how the electoral activities are going.

The commission also opened 10 telephone lines to receive public complaints on breaches of electoral guidelines. The services will be extended from Sunday morning until 10:30 p.m. when the polls close.

Another 80 hotlines are open for public by the commission to offer consultations for voters.

Officials Call for?More Active?Roles

HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa cast his vote at a polling station at St. Joseph's College Sunday morning.

Tung told reporters after casting his vote that District Councils and council members have been playing an important role in the district affairs and serving as bridges between the HKSAR government and local residents.

He expected coordinated efforts from the council members for improvement of community environment and promotion of recreational and cultural activities, in an effort to let all residents have a better life in their residential areas.?

Tung required all members of the District Councils to cooperate with the SAR government and reflect more opinions of local residents so as to enable the government to improve administration.

Patrick Ho Chi-ping, secretary for the Civil Service, also went to the polling station at the St. Joseph's College for voting.

He said the District Council members' suggestions to the government reflect residents' expectations and requirement. The SAR government always collects citizens' suggestions before the adopting of major policies.

Ho said the District Councils have to review their roles constantly, in order to better meeting the requirements of the residents.

Higher Turnout Expected

A higher turnout of voting can help promote political development in Hong Kong, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam told reporters after his voting on Sunday moring.

The Chief Executive also urged all registered voters to exercise their civic right to vote on the polling day and elect members who can best represent their interest.

"I expect a higher voting rate this year," said Lam, adding that the higher the voting rate, the broader representation the District Council members will have.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2003)