Candidates for Macao's Legislative Assembly direct election reduced by 31: electoral affairs commission

MACAO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of candidate lists for the direct election of the upcoming Legislative Assembly election of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was reduced from 19 to 14, with the total candidates reduced by 31 from 159 to 128, the electoral affairs commission said on Tuesday.

The five candidate lists were reduced for failing to meet the requirement of each including a minimum of four people after substitute people were suggested for some of the unqualified candidates, and some candidates gave up running for the election, the commission announced.

No changes were made on the five candidate lists for the indirect election.

Challenges on the decision of the commission may be filed no later than Friday. The commission said it will decide on the challenges in accordance with law.