The government will open public swimming pools, major museums and the Hong Kong Wetland Park for free on the weekend of December 6 and 7 as part of a territory-wide campaign to encourage voting in the upcoming Legislative Council election.
Officials stressed that all citizens may enjoy the perks regardless of whether they vote, and that no mechanism exists to track voters through the “appreciation cards” distributed at polling stations.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki announced the measures alongside Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai on Wednesday, outlining a broad promotional push that includes carnivals, performances and special access to disciplined services facilities.
Chan said voters will receive an appreciation card after casting their ballot, but emphasized that the card cannot and will not be used to monitor turnout among civil servants or employees.
“We will not check civil servants’ appreciation cards. We cannot use this card to prove whether someone has voted — every card is identical, without names or numbers,” he said. “I can lend you mine, and you can lend me yours.”
He added that public servants “should support the government’s work” and said he hopes they will “understand the importance of voting” and participate voluntarily. Authorities will prepare sufficient appreciation cards for all voters.
The government will host an “Election Fun Day” on December 6, featuring a large-scale performance gala at the West Kowloon Cultural District with artists, magic shows and dance acts.
Carnivals will also take place in Tai Po, Wan Chai and North Point, while multiple government departments will stage special events — from interactive sports programs by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to vintage and electric bus displays by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and Kowloon Motor Bus.
The government will open public swimming pools, major museums and the Hong Kong Wetland Park for free on the weekend of December 6 and 7 to boost LegCo election turnout.
Several disciplined services units will open their facilities to the public, including helicopter pads managed by the Government Flying Service in Sai Kung, Tai Mei Tuk, Ma On Shan and Tsing Yi. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will distribute small gifts in markets to promote election awareness.
Chan reiterated that all perks are available to everyone, not just voters.
“The aim is to encourage citizens to vote and understand its importance — or to register as voters so they can participate in future elections,” he said.
He stressed that businesses must not offer incentives tied to supporting specific candidates, though general encouragement to vote is allowed.
Government election-promotion activities
December 6
- West Kowloon Cultural District: “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future Gala”
- Territory-wide carnivals, including:
- Tai Po Waterfront Park “Civic Education Carnival”
- Wan Chai & North Point Waterfront water-and-land experience activities
- LCSD: Interactive sports-themed programs at six venues
- Environment & Ecology Bureau + KMB: Exhibition of vintage and electric buses
- Disciplined services facility open days, including:
- Tsing Yi Fire Station
- Government Flying Service helipads in Sai Kung, Tai Mei Tuk and Tai Mo Shan
December 6 & 7
- Free admission to:
- Hong Kong Wetland Park
- All LCSD public swimming pools
- Hong Kong Science Museum
- Hong Kong Space Museum
- Hong Kong Museum of Art
- GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling: Double bonus points
- FEHD: Small-gift giveaways at various markets
- Housing Authority: One extra hour of free parking at designated malls and markets with qualifying spending
- Historic building & heritage-tour perks, including free guided tours at King Yin Lei every Saturday and Sunday
