Hong Kong residents are showing mounting enthusiasm for the events that will be held on Saturday — which include a star-studded music gala with performances by nearly 100 singers and actors — aimed at enhancing public awareness of the District Council election on Sunday and at creating a positive election atmosphere.
Other events planned include carnivals, sports activities, parent-child activities, mobile gaming, concerts, a drone show, and free admission to museums and exhibitions.
Saturday’s gala, themed “Build a Better Community”, will be staged at Wonderland in the West Kowloon Cultural District between 7 pm and 9 pm. The gala will be broadcast live by seven media outlets
Meanwhile, a group of political figures has called on voters to carry out their civic duty and elect competent district councilors to create a better society.
Saturday’s gala, themed “Build a Better Community”, will be staged at Wonderland in the West Kowloon Cultural District between 7 pm and 9 pm. The gala will be broadcast live by seven media outlets.
Since 1 pm on Wednesday, the Home Affairs Department has been distributing free tickets, which total about 4,000, to members of the public at 20 Home Affairs Enquiry Centres for the gala.
In Aberdeen, Southern district, local residents formed a queue to collect tickets. Yu Lai-king, a 43-year-old resident, said that she was excited at the prospect of being able to listen to music and relax at the concert, and that she would vote in Sunday’s election in the hope that doing so would lead to improved local livelihoods. She added that she hopes traffic conditions and volunteer services for the elderly will also be improved following the election.
Wong Pui-fun, a 76 -year-old resident, said that the many activities on offer on District Council Election Fun Day would help to create an enjoyable atmosphere for Sunday’s election, and would motivate the public to vote.
Meanwhile, satellite sites will be set up at HarbourChill, Wan Chai Harbourfront, and the amphitheater at Sha Tin Park to broadcast coverage of the gala. There will also be live performances and game booths available for the public to enjoy.
About 300 tickets are available for each satellite site for public collection. Each person can obtain a maximum of two tickets for each venue while stocks last. There will be no assigned seating, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, said on Wednesday that the affairs of the District Councils are inextricably tied to the people, their peace, and their prosperity. He added that the new generation of district councilors is expected to shoulder the responsibility of building a better community, adding that residents are therefore urged to cast their vote.
Leung also said that elections are a vital part of the democratic process and that the district councilors would personally enact their policies. He urged legislators and workers in their offices to carry out their civic duty and cast their vote alongside their family and friends. He added that the public’s votes will help select passionate and competent candidates who can properly govern districts and who will strive to meet the needs of the public.
Echoing Leung, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki appealed to the public in a social media post to elect councilors who are the most dedicated to advancing community development and improving people's livelihoods in their districts.
In a video shared on social media by the Security Bureau on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary for Security Patrick Li Pak-chuen and a host of deputy secretaries also called on both current and retired civil servants to cast their vote on Sunday, along with their friends and peers, and to select their ideal candidate.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Registration and Electoral Office had received 12,976 online registrations for near border polling stations. The office reminded voters who have already registered that they can only vote at polling stations once they have received confirmation of their registration through text or email.
Source: China Daily [2023-12-06]
