The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, convened the cross-bureau and interdepartmental steering meeting on the preparatory work for the District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE) today (November 23), and was briefed by responsible officials regarding the preparatory work for the polling of the seventh DCOE, which will be held on December 10. He also instructed and advised on the overall plan.
Mr Lee said, "This election is the first major territory-wide election after improving the district governance system and reforming the District Councils (DCs) and is of particular significance. In light of the District Council election that will take place in around two weeks' time, various bureaux and departments should ensure that the election will be conducted in an open, fair, honest, safe and orderly manner. They should endeavor their best in their preparation to achieve four targets: to ensure the polling and counting processes be completed efficiently, to prevent corrupt and illegal conduct, to deliver their best at publicity work and to encourage the public to cast their votes."
The ​Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, together with heads and representatives of other relevant bureaux and departments reported their progress and coordination efforts regarding the preparations for the election.
Mr Lee instructed various bureaux and departments to continue stepping up publicity efforts. By way of actively launching the activities through diverse platforms and creative means targeting all sectors of the community, the public can fully understand that improvements to the district governance system and reforms to the DCs are highly relevant to the public’s livelihood and important to improving governance at the district level, thus motivating the public to cast their votes on the polling day.
Mr Lee also stated that the civil service should shoulder the responsibility of supporting and implementing the policies relating to the District Council election. The civil service should lead by example and fulfill their civic responsibility by casting their votes on December 10 to elect DC members who have the capability and dedication. This will assist bureaux and departments to better grasp the pulse of the community, provide more effective services that cater the needs of the public, and as a result benefit the community.
Mr Lee reminded various bureaux and departments to stay vigilant and resolve any risks, including disruptions and interference, attacks and smearing, and even acts of "soft resistance" against the election. We should adopt the bottom-line thinking, be well-prepared, and take prompt responsive actions, to handle different kinds of contingencies effectively, so as to ensure the election on December 10 can be smoothly completed in a fair, just, clean, safe and orderly manner.
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