The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department has launched two voluntary registration schemes to raise the service standards of vehicle mechanics and maintenance workshops. As of the end of 2018, some 9,300 mechanics and 2,100 workshops had registered under the two schemes.

     News.gov.hk interviewed a registered workshop owner and a registered mechanic, as well as an Electrical & Mechanical Engineer from the department to find out how the schemes help to enhance road safety.

     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (March 24) in text and video format.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     73 electors (1.01 per cent) voted in the first hour of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council Tai Nan Constituency by-election which opened at 7.30am today (March 24). (The voter turnout figures are only for temporary reference.)

     One polling station will remain open until 10.30pm today for 7 257 registered electors in the constituency to cast their votes. It is located at the Fresh Fish Traders' School, 33 Sycamore Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon.

     A dedicated polling station has been set up at Cheung Sha Wan Police Station, 880 Lai Chi Kok Road, Kowloon for electors in the Tai Nan Constituency who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies other than the Correctional Services Department (CSD) to cast their votes. The polling hours are from 7.30am to 10.30pm.

     Electors in the constituency who are imprisoned or remanded in the CSD's custody can cast their votes at three dedicated polling stations set up at their respective penal institutions. For security reasons, the polling hours are from 9am to 4pm.

     The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, Commission members Mr Arthur Luk, SC, and Professor Fanny Cheung, will visit the polling station this morning.

     "Electors are advised to cast their votes as early as possible and read carefully the address of the designated polling station on their poll cards indicating where they should cast their votes," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.

     "Electors must bring the original of their Hong Kong identity card or other specified alternative documents to the designated polling station to collect their ballot paper to cast vote. Voting is very simple. Electors must use the chop provided by the polling stations to stamp the ballot paper with a tick in the circle opposite the name of the chosen candidate, and fold the ballot paper inward in half before putting it into the ballot box," he said.

     Once the poll is closed, the polling station at the Fresh Fish Traders' School will be converted into counting station. The public will be able to watch the vote counting within the designated area at the counting station.

     To protect the secrecy of votes, the ballot boxes at the dedicated polling stations will be delivered to the counting station at the Fresh Fish Traders' School for opening after the close of polling. The ballot papers concerned will be mixed with the ballot papers cast at the Fresh Fish Traders' School before counting.

     The election result will be announced at the counting station at the Fresh Fish Traders' School.

     An election hotline (2891 1001) is in service until 11pm to answer enquiries relating to the by-election.

     A complaints hotline (2827 7251) is also in operation until 11pm to handle complaints about breaches of electoral rules or guidelines.

     The two candidates contesting this by-election are Lee Kwok Kuen (No. 1) and Li Sze Man (No. 2).

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Ma On Shan in the small hours of today (March 24) in which a 60-year-old man died.

     At about 2.53am, a private car driven by a 40-year-old man was travelling along Tolo Highway towards Tai Po. When approaching Hong Kong Science Park, it reportedly rammed into a kerb and stopped. An MGV driven by a 37-year-old man later collided with the private car.

     After the impact, a 60-year-old MGV passenger fell out from the vehicle. Sustaining serious head injuries, he was certified dead at scene. The MGV driver and a 39-year-old male passenger sustained minor injuries and were sent to the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in conscious state. The MGV driver was later transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment.

     The private car driver and the MGV driver were arrested for drink driving and dangerous driving causing death respectively. They are being detained for further enquiries.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 24) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.