Govt urges public cooperation in holding HK elections peacefully

HONG KONG – The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Saturday appealed to the public to cooperate in holding Sunday's District Council elections in an orderly, peaceful and fair manner.

"It's a very important election because it's the first time that every single seat is contested. It's a real democratic exercise," Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said at a media session after attending a radio program Saturday morning, urging people to "protect the election".

"I really want people to treasure it, to value it, exercise their right to vote, very importantly, exercise their civic right to vote."

On presence of police during the election, Cheung said: "For every polling station, we must ensure that there is enough police present to deter any interference and also to really maintain law and order, to maintain safety of the polling staff as well as the electors and the candidates."