The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election issues a reminder that each registered voter is only entitled to endorse the nomination committee of a single election team.

Additionally, any person wishing to sign up for a nomination committee would be required to submit a declaration, in order to avoid duplication of any individual signature on a nomination-committee application.

The Commission Chairman, Mr Tong Hio Fong, asked for registered-voter cooperation regarding the new arrangements to be introduced in relation to the 2021 election process. Voters should understand that supporting the formation of a nomination committee amounted to taking a political stance, and would show their willingness to be part of the nomination committee for a particular campaigning team.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday (18 March) after a Commission meeting, Mr Tong said people wishing to form nomination committees on behalf of those seeking to contest the 2021 election, must submit their applications before 15 June, in order for the Commission to review the legal status of nomination committees.

In addition, the Commission Chairman also provided a clarification that local media outlets had the responsibility – during the compulsory cooling-off period before the election, and on the election day itself – to shield or hide from the public any information that might be deemed as related to campaigning. News reports on the election process were permitted. But it would also be necessary to shield from the public – or make not searchable – any news report that might affect voter intention during the information-blackout days.

Mr Tong added that he believed local news outlets would provide fair and objective news coverage of the election.

Mr Tong went on to say that the Commission’s guidance to news organisations was based on the Legislative Assembly Election Law, and issued in view of the growing trend of online-platform promotional activity.

The Commission had received enquiries regarding an entity asking via SMS for voter support in forming a nomination committee. After review, the Commission found the mobile-phone message was seeking support to form a nomination committee and there was no element concerning electoral propaganda. There were many ways to seek support for forming a nomination committee: for example, meeting voters in person or telephoning them, Mr Tong said.

During Thursday’s meeting, the Commission discussed possible locations for polling stations. The Commission noted that – depending on local developments regarding epidemic-related matters – it was possible that the Government’s district- and risk-specific plan for epidemic prevention might be in place during the election-timetable period. In that case, the Commission would keep in close touch with the health authorities, in order to decide whether there was any need to adjust locations for polling stations.

The Commission issued a reminder that voters must provide to the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, on or before 31 May, any updated information regarding a change of residential address, as each voter would be assigned a polling station based on the address held on file.