All in order for first CE election after reform

The nomination period for the Chief Executive election will run for 14 days from February 20 to March 5, two days less than before, says Electoral Affairs Commission chairman Barnabas Fung Wah.

Hong Kong's first CE race under the revamped electoral system is set for March 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Although authorities earlier told the Legislative Council they would like nominations to start February 15 and the period to last 16 days, Fung said the government decided to start five days later.

"The nomination period is designated by the chief electoral officer, and not the Electoral Affairs Commission," he said.

"There is a detailed requirement regarding the nomination period. EAC is only responsible to confirm whether the designated days fit the legal requirements."

According to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance, the nomination period shall not be less than 14 days and end no later than 21 days before the polling date.

Chief electoral officer Raymond Wang Man-chiu from the Registration and Electoral Office said the nomination tabled in Legco earlier was just a tentative date, and the government had all along been saying that the dates would be formally announced through the gazette.

"The current nomination period is in full accordance with the law, which is now formally decided after government discussions," Wang said. He sidestepped questions whether Beijing played a role in deciding on the dates, saying he has "nothing to add."

The commission also said even if there is no competition, the sole candidate still needs to obtain more than 750 votes of confidence or about half of the 1,448-member Election Committee.

The first round of voting will start from 9am to 11am. If none of the candidates in a contested election is able to obtain over 750 votes, a second round will commence.

The vaccine bubble will not be applied at the polling venue and registered voters will not have to be vaccinated or use the LeaveHomeSafe app. Fung said the right to vote is a "fundamental constitutional right" and there are no legal provisions to stop a registered voter from voting. But those who wish to enter the ballot counting station are required to use the app.

EAC has already increased the size of the polling station and left more space between tables to create more social distance.

"If we find someone with a fever upon arrival, we will let them use a special voting counter, which is sanitized more frequently and far from other voting counters," Fung said.

According to the new guidelines, the electoral expenses are capped at HK$1.76 million - compared to HK$1.57 million in 2017.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has sidestepped questions on whether she will seek reelection, reiterating yesterday that her focus was to battle the Covid outbreaks.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com