CE: High turnout reflects strong support for improved system

HONG KONG - Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Sunday evening said the high turnout rate of nearly 90 percent of the Election Committee subsector elections reflected the support for the new electoral system by members of various subsectors.

In a statement made after the polls closed at 6 pm, Lam said the first election held under the improved system is "particularly meaningful."

"They mark the implementation of the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' in the political system of the HKSAR, the safeguarding of sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation, and the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'."

The newly-constituted committee, made up of 1,500 members from 40 subsectors, was tasked with important functions, including the nomination and election of the city's chief executive, as well as the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council and the election of 40 of them, Lam said.

"Through their election manifestos and interactions with members of the public, they have shown their commitment to society," she added.

Lam thanked those involved in the elections on Sunday for making sure the polls were held in an open, fair, and honest manner.

Many new polling arrangements, including the electronic poll register system and special arrangements for queuing during voting, were adopted for the first time, laying good foundations for future elections.

The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will take stock of the experience in implementing various arrangements in Sunday's polling stations to provide references for future elections, including the legislative elections and chief executive elections, Lam said.