At the close of polling at 10.30pm today (July 14), 1 945 of the 9 208 registered electors of the San Tin Constituency had cast their votes in the Yuen Long District Council by-election, representing a turnout of 21.12 per cent. (The voter turnout figures are only for temporary reference.)

     The polling stations located at Tun Yu School, San Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories and St. Gavriel Kindergarten, 1 San Wai Tsuen, San Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories opened from 7.30am to 10.30pm.

     The dedicated polling station at Yuen Long Police Station also opened from 7.30am to 10.30pm. It was set up for electors in the San Tin Constituency remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies other than the Correctional Services Department (CSD) to cast their ballots.

      Five dedicated polling stations were also set up at penal institutions for electors in the constituency who are imprisoned or remanded in the CSD's custody to cast their votes at their respective penal institutions. For security reasons, the polling hours were from 9am to 4pm. 
 
     Registered electors in the Shap Pat Heung West Constituency of the Yuen Long District Council do not have to vote today because the candidate for the constituency has been returned uncontested.

  

     In response to the public procession today (July 14), a Government spokesperson said that after the peaceful and orderly protest this afternoon, some protesters deliberately blocked some roads, violently assaulted police officers and caused a breach of the peace. The Government strongly condemns these illegal acts.

     The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong, and the society will absolutely not tolerate such violent acts.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (July 14) that Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre and Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts in Shatin District have been temporarily closed due to a public procession in the vicinity.

     Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow. Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre and Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts will be reopened at 7am tomorrow.

     In response to the public procession organised by the media sector today (July 14), a Police spokesperson replied as follows:

     Police all along respect press freedom and their right of reporting. Police also understand the need of the media to film Police’s operations. Police have been maintaining communication with media organisations so that both sides could have mutual understanding on their work. There would not be any change in this area of work.

     Since December 2015, Force Media Liaison Cadre (FMLC) was established under a volunteer basis and as a secondary duty. FMLC serve as a bridge between the Police and the media to facilitate the work of both sides as far as practicable under the condition that the effectiveness of Police’s operation will not be compromised. FMLC endeavour to assist both sides in discharging their work smoothly. Since its establishment, FMLC has fully fulfilled their co-ordination duties.

     In addition, Police have added elements in various levels of training to enable police officers understand the work of the media.

     Starting from June this year, a large number of public events were held at various locations in Hong Kong. Although most of them were conducted in an orderly manner, a large group of radical protestors violently charged Police cordon line and attacked Police officers shortly after the public events concluded. The scene turned into a very chaotic and dangerous situation. Media practitioners shall take care of their personal safety and avoid being in danger.

     The above situation is unprecedented. There is room for improvement in the coordination work between Police and the media. In the future, Police would enhance communication with the media and relevant training for Police officers.

     Regarding some cases in which media practitioners alleged to be treated unreasonably during reporting, Police would take appropriate follow up actions.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport on July 12.
 
     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 12. During Customs clearance, a slab of suspected cocaine was found concealed inside the false compartment of his suitcase. The man was then arrested.
 
     The arrested man, aged 76, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 15).
 
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).