HK residents urged to cast ballots

Leaders and government officials in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region launched a campaign on Thursday to rally the public to cast their ballots in the upcoming legislative council election in December, urging residents to vote to influence the direction the city will take in the future.

At the kick-off ceremony for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said it is of great importance for Hong Kong to pick "capable, responsible and passionate lawmakers" to serve residents.

The ceremony was held a day before the candidate nomination period begins. The election, set for Dec 7, will see 90 lawmakers — 20 from the geographical constituencies, 30 from the functional constituencies and 40 from the Election Committee constituency — elected to serve in the council.

Lee said Hong Kong is at a critical point in its advancement from stability to prosperity, and the government is sparing no effort to deepen reform, develop the economy and improve livelihoods. He added that many related policies need approval or the allocation of funding from the legislature before they can be implemented.

Lee encouraged all sectors of society to cast their ballots on election day. He also urged organizations from both the public and private sectors, as well as patriotic groups, to fulfill their social responsibilities by encouraging their employees to participate in the process.

Civil servants should take the lead in voting, Lee said, adding that the government — as the city's largest employer — will ensure staff members who are on duty can leave their posts to vote, with sufficient backup personnel available to cover their absence.

The Hong Kong SAR government will ensure the election is conducted in a fair, just, honest, safe and orderly manner, Lee added.

At the same event, Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission David Lok Kai-hong said that voting is not just a right, but a social responsibility, as residents are given the opportunity to directly influence public policies in various sectors such as healthcare, labor, education, transport and housing through voting.

Voters will not only be selecting lawmakers, but will be choosing a future, Lok added.

Lok pointed out that the improved electoral system further enhances the extensive representativeness, political inclusivity, balanced participation and fair competition in elections, and has established a solid foundation for the long-term, healthy development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

Lee said the seventh LegCo, which was elected under the improved electoral system, performed excellently during its four-year term. The council has passed nearly 130 bills — representing almost a 60 percent increase compared to the previous term — and has approved over 260 projects related to the rule of law and livelihoods, worth HK$700 billion ($90 billion). One of the key bills that was passed was the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, a historical bill that completed the city's constitutional responsibility, which had remained unfinished for 26 years.

Other high-level officials in the SAR government are also calling on the public to vote in the upcoming election.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the SAR government will lead civil servants to actively engage in the electoral process and provide them with all feasible opportunities to vote.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung described the election as a crucial moment to unite public opinion and select suitable candidates. He urged residents to participate in the election and propel Hong Kong society forward.

Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, deputy chief secretary for administration, said that participating in the election is a way of telling a good Hong Kong story, and can contribute to enhancing Hong Kong's international prestige, competitive edge, economic prosperity and social stability.

atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com