EAC Chairman chairs very first conference of Crisis Management Committee (with image)
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The following is provided on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
In view of the 2025 Election Committee Subsector By-elections to be hung on September 7 (Sunday), the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, chaired the very first conference of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) this afternoon (August 26) to handle various scenarios that might emerge throughout the By-elections, along with to guarantee the smooth conduct of the ballot day.
Mr Justice Lok stated at the conference, “To ensure that the By-elections will be conducted smoothly, I am aware that relevant bureaux and departments have entered the final stage of various preparatory work, including drawing up security and contingency plans.”
Throughout the conference, the EAC was informed by agents from pertinent federal government departments, consisting of the Digital Policy Office and the Hong Kong Police Force, on their evaluations of cybersecurity and security dangers respectively under various scenarios, and likewise on their preparatory work and contingency implementation prepared for the ballot day.
In addition, in action to possible unfavorable weather on the ballot day of the By-elections, an agent from the Hong Kong Observatory was welcomed to go to the conference to go over and supply expert suggestions so that pertinent departments can make suitable contingency strategies and action techniques. The Registration and Electoral Office, the Security Bureau, the Information Services Department, the Department of Justice and the Home Affairs Department likewise provided instructions on their preparatory or co-ordination work concerning the By-elections.
Mr Justice Lok explained that the CMC will help the EAC in carefully keeping track of the scenario on the ballot day of the By-elections and will manage scenarios brought on by various events impacting the By-elections. The conference today assisted the EAC to much better prepare and create contingency prepare for the By-elections. He thanked all the bureaux and departments for their efforts in the preparations and plans for the By-elections. The EAC will aim to guarantee that the By-elections will be carried out in an open, sincere and reasonable way in accordance with pertinent electoral laws and standards as in the past.
The CMC becomes part of the contingency system for public elections. The CMC recommends the EAC on matters that might impact the procedures of the elections, such as harsh weather condition and problems of public health and security. The CMC is chaired by the EAC Chairman and makes up all EAC members, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (or his agent) and agents of appropriate bureaux/departments.