Election for 2nd Legislative Assembly of Macao SAR EndsThe Public Administration and Civil Services announced early Monday morning that those who have been elected come from six social groups including the Association for New Democratic Macao, the Development Union and the Promoting Union for Progress. The Association for New Democratic Macao led by Ng Kuok Cheong was elected at the head of the poll, obtaining 16,960 votes. Ten other candidates standing for indirect election will all become new LA members, on behalf of the walks of employer, employee, professional and welfare, culture, education and sports, including President of the 1st LA Susana Chou. Sunday's voting and vote-counting work was intense but orderly. According to statistics, a total of 83,600 people, or nearly one fifth of the SAR's population, joined in direct election, while more than 2,200 Macao residents cast their votes in indirect election. This was the first LA election since Macao returned to the motherland at the end of 1999. Macao SAR Chief Executive on ElectionThe election for the 2nd Legislative Assembly (LA) reflects the further implementation of the basic principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah noted here early Monday.In a public statement, Ho described the first LA election after Macao's return to the motherland as a significant political event. The chief executive expressed his congratulations for the 20 people who were just elected new LA members, expecting them to make due contributions to the happiness of local residents and the stability and development of Macao. He noted that the SAR government will keep sound exchanges and cooperation with the new LA to strive for Macao's development and progress. Macao People Elect New Legislative Assembly ActivelyA total of 83,600 Macao voters joined in direct election of the 2nd Legislative Assembly Sunday, according to the latest official statistics.The figure accounts for 52.3 percent of all the registered voters in Macao or nearly one fifth of the SAR's population. In the meantime, more than 2,200 people cast their votes in indirect election, according to figures just released by the Public Administration and Civil Services. In line with the Basic Law, the 2nd LA shall be composed of 27 members including ten from direct election, ten from indirect election and seven appointed by the SAR's chief executive. A total of 96 people from 15 social groups stood for direct election, and ten candidates, for indirect election. The authorities said that the voting went on in an honest and fair way. This is the first LA election since Macao returned to the motherland at the end of 1999. The term of office for the current legislative assembly will come to an end on October 15. The list of the 2nd LA will be announced late Sunday night, government sources said. |
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