The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
On the decision of the Chief Executive (CE) in Council relating to the postponement of the CE Election, the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung, issued the following statement today (February 18) through the LegCo Secretariat:
The CE in Council decided in accordance with the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to postpone the CE Election. This is a thoughtful decision with precedent and legal basis.
The COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated rapidly. In comparing to the situation in July 2020 when the decision of postponing the LegCo General Election was made and the highest daily confirmed cases stood at 149, the situation now is far more severe. In view of persistently high number of confirmed cases and the increasing risk of infection in community, stabilizing the epidemic situation is the overriding mission at present for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, LegCo and all Hong Kong people.
Under the current severe epidemic situation, the casting of vote by and canvassing of nomination from Election Committee (EC) members, as well as the electioneering activities for the support of EC members and the general public will be seriously affected. The social interactions during the election activities will also increase the risk of the spread of disease. The postponement of the CE Election can safeguard the fair, just, open and safe conduct of the election. It also meets the public expectations of focusing on combatting virus for safeguarding the life and safety of the public.
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