REO hosts polling-cum-counting station management training for supervisory-level electoral staff of District Council Ordinary Election (with photos)

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (October 31) hosted the polling-cum-counting station management training for supervisory-level electoral staff of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE). Through talks on the electoral arrangements and experience sharing, the training aimed at deepening staff's understanding of their management duties in polling-cum-counting stations so as to achieve smooth operation on the polling day. The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, was present to give a briefing to the staff.
 
     The 2023 DCOE will be held on December 10. The REO will set up more than 600 District Council geographical constituency (DCGC) ordinary polling stations across the territory to serve over 4.33 million electors, as well as one District Committees constituency (DCC) polling station in each of the 18 Districts for voting of DCC electors.
 
     On the polling day, more than 30 000 civil servants from different bureaux/departments will discharge electoral duties at different posts. The REO hosted polling-cum-counting station management training for supervisory-level electoral staff today covering the new and important electoral arrangements, maintaining order at polling-cum-counting stations, responses to crises and complaints handling, and determination of questionable ballot papers, etc.
 
     Mr Justice Lok briefed around 2 000 supervisory-level electoral staff on the polling and counting arrangements and points-to-note of this election, including the different polling hours between DCGC and DCC elections, the set-up of a special queue for persons in need, use of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) system to issue ballot papers, procedures for conversion of a polling station into a counting station, and procedures and techniques for handling complaints, etc.
 
     "The District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 (the Ordinance) was published in the Gazette and came into effect on July 10. This election is of great significance as it is the first territory-wide district level election after the reform of the District Councils. To ensure the smooth accomplishment of the electoral work on the polling day, electoral staff must read and familiarise themselves with the operational manual and the guidelines as prepared by the REO. The Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers are fully supported by the EAC, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the REO, and relevant bureaux/departments" said Mr Justice Lok.
 
     "The EAC will closely monitor the conduct of the election on the polling day. In case of irregularities and emergencies in the polling or counting stations and assistance or support is required, staff should contact the Central Command Centre as quickly as possible. I believe through co-operation among all, the election will be open, fair, honest, and be smoothly conducted in a safe, orderly and efficient manner," Mr Justice Lok added.
 
     Staff from the REO briefed attendees on the composition of the District Councils under the Ordinance and electoral arrangements and introduced the EPR system with hands-on practice to familiarise staff with the operation of the system and steps for issuance of ballot papers. In addition, representatives from the Department of Justice, the Police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Society for the Blind hosted briefing sessions during the training to share with attendees their work experience in elections and crisis management.
 
     The REO will arrange a number of training sessions with practical sessions, drills and simulated activities for electoral staff so that they can be well-versed in the work procedures for making comprehensive preparations for the DCOE.