The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive Election has today issued its fourth guideline, regarding the method to fill in the ballot paper to be used in the Chief Executive Election. The polling is to be held on 25 August.

The guideline also sets the criteria for a ballot to be considered invalid, and the obligation for members of the Chief Executive Election Committee to keep their vote confidential.

The Commission’s President, Ms Song Man Lei, talked to reporters after a Commission meeting today to discuss preparations for the upcoming election. The meeting also reviewed the arrangements made for a session for the accepted candidate for the Chief Executive Election to deliver election platform to the members of the Chief Executive Election Committee. The session took place on 10 August and included a question-and-answer segment.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Song said members of the Chief Executive Election Committee should use special chops – to be provided by the Electoral Affairs Commission – to fill in the ballot paper on election day.

Ballots filled in not using a chop provided by the Commission would be considered invalid, she said. A ballot would also be considered invalid if it were torn, or altered, or if it showed unauthorised marks, or if the voter wrote anything on the ballot paper.

Members of the Chief Executive Election Committee had the obligation to keep their vote confidential, Ms Song stated. Voters should place their ballot paper in a ballot box immediately after having voted.

The Commission’s President added that members of the Chief Executive Election Committee were not allowed to use mobile phones and other recording devices to take photographs or to film the ballot paper.

Any violation of the Commission’s latest guideline could amount to a criminal offence, said Ms Song. She hoped all those taking part in the Election would observe closely the guidelines issued by the Electoral Affairs Commission, in order for the election process to be carried out smoothly.

The Chief Executive Election will take place at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, at 10am on 25 August. Ms Song said the Commission expected procedures to take around one and a half hour to be completed.

Ms Song urged members of the Chief Executive Election Committee to exercise their civic duty to vote in the 25 August polling.

Members of the Chief Executive Election Committee could still collect their respective voting credential – in order to exercise their right to vote – at the Macao East Asian Games Dome on election day, said the Commission’s President.