The 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election entered its nomination period today (Oct. 24). Chief Executive John Lee and the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr. Justice David Lok, presided over the election kick-off ceremony at the Central Government Offices yesterday (Oct. 23), marking the official start of the eighth-term LegCo election.
In his speech, John Lee pointed out that Hong Kong is at a critical period of advancing from stability to prosperity, with the government fully committed to promoting reform, developing the economy, and improving people's livelihoods. He emphasized that many policies require LegCo or funding for implementation, making the election of competent and dedicated legislators crucial. The HKSAR government will focus on ensuring the election is conducted fairly, justly, honestly, safely, and in an orderly manner. He encouraged patriots who love HK and country, possess capability and commitment, and are dedicated to serving the public to actively participate in the election, and called on all sectors of society to support the electoral work. Lee urged all HK organizations, enterprises, and institutions to provide convenience for their staff to encourage them to fulfill their civic responsibility by voting. As HK's largest employer, the HKSAR government will take the lead in encouraging civil servants to vote proactively.
Lee stated that on Dec. 7, the HKSAR will hold the eighth-term LegCo election. This is a major event in HK's progression from stability to prosperity, a significant matter for HK's accelerated economic development and livelihood improvement, and an issue concerning you, me, and every HK resident.
Mobilizing Support from All Sectors of Society for the Election
The current Seventh LegCo, formed after the improvement of the electoral system, has demonstrated over the past four years of its term that under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and with a dominant executive, the operation of the LegCo has returned to the right track. There has been effective and positive interaction between the executive and legislative branches, which have both checked and balanced each other while also cooperating. The results are evident for all to see.
Building on the successful practice of the seventh-term LegCo, the government will ensure the smooth conduct of the eighth-term LegCo election, showcasing the electoral system's broad representativeness, political inclusiveness, balanced participation, and fair competition.
According to Lee, the SAR government will focus on three areas of work:
First, ensuring the election is conducted fairly, justly, honestly, safely, and in an orderly manner. The government previously conducted a comprehensive and in-depth review of experience and passed the Improving Electoral Arrangements (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2025 in March this year, to improve various electoral arrangements and processes, further enhance efficiency, provide more convenience for candidates and voters, while ensuring the election proceeds under fair, just, honest, safe, and orderly conditions.
Second, encouraging persons who love HK and country, possess capability and commitment, and are dedicated to serving the public to actively participate in the election. The nomination period for the eighth-term LegCo election officially begins today (Oct. 24). The Chief Executive encouraged outstanding individuals from all walks of life and different strata – who are patriotic, love HK, have capability, demonstrate commitment, and are dedicated to serving the public – to actively run for LegCo membership and work tirelessly with the government for HK's good governance, economic development, and livelihood improvement.
Third, mobilizing support from all sectors of society for the election, including individuals, businesses, organizations, and groups, to work together in unity. He strongly urges and fully promotes all sectors of society, including institutions, enterprises, organizations, and groups, to fulfill their social responsibilities by encouraging their employees to vote actively on polling day and providing all possible conveniences for them.
Regarding civil servants, he stated that as members of the government team, civil servants should lead by example, practicing their support for the government's policies and its drive to encourage all registered voters to participate by casting their votes. As HK's largest employer, the SAR government will take the lead in encouraging and promoting civil servants to vote proactively, and will provide all feasible conveniences for those on duty that day. This includes various government departments permitting civil servants on duty to leave their posts in an orderly manner to vote, arranging sufficient relief staff, and providing transport convenience for civil servants to vote.
He called for and expected all HK organizations, enterprises, and institutions to respond enthusiastically, actively fulfill their social responsibility, encourage and provide convenience for their staff to fulfill their civic duty and cast their sacred vote.
Various Organizations Provide Support to Encourage Employee Voting
Numerous HK enterprises, institutions, and groups yesterday (Oct. 23) responded to the SAR government's call, indicating they would provide facilitating measures on Dec. 7 polling day to encourage staff to vote and elect capable individuals for HK.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will actively encourage staff to vote, referencing the SAR government's arrangements by allowing staff on duty to go to polling stations during office hours, and providing transport subsidies.
Jonathan Choi, President of The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, HK, stated that this election is very important and called on voters from the industrial and commercial sectors to vote actively. He stated that he will lead by example, changing his flight to return to Hong Kong early to vote, even though he was originally scheduled to no be HK on polling day. He will also encourage business representatives with voting rights to adjust their schedules to return to HK to vote on Dec. 7.
HK Electric Managing Director Ir Francis C. Y. Cheng, stated yesterday (Oct. 23) that HK Electric will prepare contingency plans in advance for various possible power supply incidents within its supply area, ensuring stable and reliable power supply to various polling stations and related facilities on polling day, so that the election can proceed smoothly. Additionally, flexible work schedules and special measures would be arranged for employees required to be on duty or provide extra support that day, to facilitate them to vote.
The Hospital Authority stated it will use different platforms to encourage and promote all staff to vote on election day. It will also assist candidates from different sectors in contacting voters working in public hospitals under the principles of fairness and justice, enabling voters to better understand different candidates' platforms and make the most informed choice when voting.
The Hong Kong Housing Society, Estate Agents Authority (EAA),CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, and Towngas all stated that they will arrange flexible work schedules for employees who need to be on duty on polling day.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; English Intern Editor: Yuki; English Editor: Kiki)
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