Transcript of the Chief Secretary's media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, after touring the International Trademart Press Centre today (Sunday).
Question: Mrs Chan, in Yuen Long a group of people tried to ... into the polling station but they hadn't registered. What does that say about the organisations of this election?
CS: In general, I think we devoted substantial resources both in manpower, equipment and other things to ensure that this election would be conducted in a transparent, orderly fashion and so far, as far as I can ascertain, the voting has been conducted in a very calm, very responsible manner. If there are specific incidents in specific polling stations, then we have responsible officers who will sort out these difficulties. I do not anticipate any problems.
Question: How do you account for the low turnout compared to last time?
CS: I think it's a little too early to say that it's a low turnout. I've just said that in percentage terms, of course, it's slightly lower compared with 1991 but I don't think the emphasis should be placed on the percentage turnout, it should be placed on the total number of voters who have so far turned out to vote and as I said, we have 180,000 already having cast their votes, which is higher than the numbers in 1991. It's now only just past noon so there are still plenty of hours and I would urge all the registered voters to turn out to vote for their choice.
Question: Do you think voter sentiment has been affected by the threat by China to dismantle the new LegCo in 1997?
CS: I think the number of voters who have turned out actually to vote so far is encouraging but we have to see what happens in the remaining hours before the polling stations close. Okay? Thanks.
End/Sunday, September 17, 1995
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