The Secretary for Social Affairs, Mr Cheong U, has urged voters to fulfill their civil rights and duties by coming out and cast their votes in the fifth-term Legislative Assembly election.

Speaking to reporters after he had voted at the D. José da Costa Nunes Kindergarten polling station this morning, Mr Cheong said he was glad the number of registered voters had increased by tens of thousands and it was encouraging to see that most of them were young voters, which showed that they cared for Macao.

Mr Cheong said he believed that members of the Legislative Assembly who come from various sectors would work together with the government to contribute to the development of Macao in social, economic and political areas.

A total of 145 of candidates from 20 lists are contesting 14 directly-elected seats in the election, which is held every four years. The polls opened at 9 am and will close at 9 pm tonight.