Chairman of the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission Woo Kwok Hing said Sunday (Sept. 12) that he was confident that the ongoing election for the third term Legislative Council would be conducted in an honest, fair and open way.

A total of 501 polling stations in Hong Kong are open for the electors to cast their votes from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

Woo called on the registered electors to go to the polling stations to cast their votes. He also urged the candidates as wellas electors to abide by the relevant regulations regarding the LegCo election.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam noted on the same day that overall turnout rate of the registered electors has demonstrated the great importance Hongkongers have attached to the election for the third term LegCo.

Lam added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will closely cooperate with the newly elected LegCo members in serving the Hong Kong residents.

The LegCo is Hong Kong's legislative body. The term of office of the third term LegCo members will begin on Oct. 1, 2004, and last for four years.

Editor: Olivia