The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today cordially congratulated Mr Ho Iat Seng on winning the Fifth Chief Executive Election of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Mr Ho had received a high number of nominations from the Chief Executive Election Committee in order to become a candidate; and he won a high number of votes in today’s election, Mr Chui noted.

The Chief Executive said that the incumbent Government team would support his successor in forming a new government and would ensure a smooth transition.

After the Court of Final Appeal officially confirms the result of today’s election, Mr Chui will submit a report to the Central Government on the election result and proposing the appointment of Mr Ho as next chief executive of the Macao SAR.

Mr Chui said he was confident that the Chief Executive-elect met the requirements for the chief executive role as defined by the Central Government, i.e.: possession of patriotism; the ability to maintain the trust of the Central Government; the capability to govern; and the support of the city.

Mr Ho’s policy platform for the election had been titled “Unity and Efforts, Change and Innovation” with a focus on the need to “Consolidate a Steady Momentum of Success and Maintain Overall Harmony”, Mr Chui noted.

During the campaign period, Mr Ho met with people from all walks of life, to introduce his election platform and policy vision. These direct interactions with community members allowed him to get better grasps of sentiment within society, and the climate of public opinion.

Mr Chui said he believed Mr Ho would unite Macao in advancing the steady implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle, and usher a next phase of development for the city.

The Fifth Chief Executive Election of the Macao SAR had been carried out today smoothly and in a lawful manner, Mr Chui noted. Such effort illustrated the full implementation in Macao of the principles of “One country, two systems”; “Macao people governing Macao”; and the city’s enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy.

Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive Election for the successful organisation of the election.