China News Agency, Hong Kong, May 8th: The first chief executive election under Hong Kong's new electoral system is efficient and orderly

　　China News Agency reporter Zeng Ping

　　May 8 is the election day for the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The election produced the first candidate for the chief executive under the new election system.

On this day, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, where the main polling station and the central counting station were set up, was busy moving in the twilight of the morning.

　　At about 7 o'clock in the morning, reporters lined up in long lines and armed with "long guns and short cannons" video equipment began to slowly enter the venue in batches.

The directions are clear along the way, and the labels "Go to the media entrance" can be seen everywhere to guide the team forward.

At about 8 o'clock, many media were ready in the media work area of ​​the Central Counting Station and Press Center.

　　The polling time for the Chief Executive is from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Nearly 1,500 Election Committee members voted by secret ballot on a one-person, one-vote basis.

At about 9 o'clock, the election committee members arrived at the main polling station one after another. In order to reduce the flow of people, they voted according to different "recommended voting time periods".

Outside the main polling station, the smiling eyes of many election committee members were frozen by flashing lights in front of a large sign that read "2022 Chief Executive Election".

Under the supervision of the Election Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Election Commission, candidates and their agents, the media and the public, the election and vote counting were carried out in a tight and orderly manner.

Photo by Li Zhihua

　　At about 12 o'clock, the ballot papers delivered to the ballot box in the counting area of ​​the Central Counting Station and press center were poured out, and the counting process began.

After about 20 minutes of counting the votes, the staff said that the counting had been completed, and the scene filled with the electoral committee immediately burst into applause.

"No problem ballots were found." When this information was announced on the spot, applause broke out again.

　　At around 12:20, the Returning Officer for the election of the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region solemnly announced that the candidate, Mr. Li Jiachao, was elected with 1,416 support votes.

Amidst the warm applause, a smiling Li Jiachao came to the stage, bowing and waving in different directions to show his gratitude.

On May 8, the election of the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was successfully completed, and Li Jiachao was elected as the sixth chief executive candidate with a high vote of 1,416.

Photo by Li Zhihua

　　"I sincerely thank every friend and citizen who cares about today's election, and every friend who attended and encouraged me here," said Li Jiachao.

　　Afterwards, he invited his wife Lin Lichan to share this historic moment on stage.

The two hugged on stage, and Li Jiachao said to Lin Lichan, "Happy Mother's Day!"

　　"This is a groundbreaking election that sets an example for the future," said Wu Qiubei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and a member of the Legislative Council. new article.

　　"Election with a high vote means that the election committee and Hong Kong people have greater expectations, and it also represents hope and dawn." Li Jiaxin, member of the Hong Kong SAR Election Committee, said.

　　According to the relevant laws and regulations on the election of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive is elected by an Election Committee that is broadly representative, conforms to the actual situation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and reflects the overall interests of society, and is appointed by the Central People's Government.

After being appointed by the Central People's Government, the elected will be officially sworn in on July 1.

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