The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election is to hold a meeting next week with the General Audit Committee of the Legislative Assembly Election, to discuss the rules for determining the validity of ballots.

Speaking to reporters today after the Commission’s weekly meeting, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Tong Hio Fong, said he hoped to reach a consensus on the matter with the General Audit Committee – the body responsible for auditing the votes – to ensure a smooth operation when counting the votes.

According to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, a ballot is rendered invalid if: the ballot is stamped in more than one place using the official voting chop; the ballot has been teared, or defaced, or wrongly marked; or the intention of the voter is not clearly discernible from the ballot paper, stated Mr Tong.

With more than a month to the election day set for 17 September, the Commission is to launch a series of promotional activities – via several channels such as new media, television, radio and the website – to promote election-related information. The Commission would also set up some mock polling stations across the city to explain to voters the voting procedure, added Mr Tong.