The government has never thought about mandating citizens to cast their ballots in the coming District Councils election on December 10, and civil servants won’t be threatened to vote with punishment, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said.

Chan made the remark during an interview with newspaper Ming Pao as he was asked if there would be any consequences for civil servants who don’t vote.

“No consequences. I won’t follow a civil servant to see if he has or hasn’t voted and I have no reason to do so,” Chan said.

“We wish not to adopt a system where you will be punished if you don’t vote. We don’t do things this way.”

The no.2 official continued that there are many factors affecting the voters’ turnout, like voters not present in Hong Kong even if they want to vote, or some citizens may fall unwell that day and can’t go to the polling station.

“The government has never thought about mandating the public to vote and this is not the target of our work. How could you mandate someone to vote?”

Chan said after the newly-elected councilors assume office, the top priority of their work is to collect public opinions on the five areas of work suggested by the Steering Committee on District Governance.

The five areas are expanding after-school care service, caring for the elderly, fostering clean markets and strengthening public engagement in anti-rodent work, enhancing public order, and ensuring road safety.

Chan also said if those who weren’t previously counted as a patriot show remorse to the government’s satisfaction, they can be approved by authorities to stand in the election again in the future. “Never say never,” he added.

Chan said councilors from the last term of District Councils were elected just because they shouted anti-China and Hong Kong slogans and they didn’t fulfill the duties of consultation and providing services.

Therefore, the government has to revamp the whole district governance structure and restore the District Councils’ duties stipulated by the Basic Law, Chan noted.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki. File photo.

No consequences for civil servants who don’t vote in Dec.10 election: Eric Chan