The chief executive (CE) election on March 25 will take place in the form of secret ballot.

As there are no serial numbers or any marks printed on the ballot papers, the choice of candidate by the electors will not be made known to other people, said Justice Pang Kin-kee, chairman of Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), yesterday at a press conference.

Pang said the EAC would make arrangements to maintain secrecy of voting in the election.

Quoting the relevant ordinance, he said votes are to be cast by secret ballot. Also, no number is printed on the ballot paper and no record made of the particular ballot paper issued to an elector.

"After an elector is issued a ballot paper, he marks it inside the voting booth alone. He should then fold it inward before dropping it inside the ballot box.

"This can further guarantee that other people cannot see the choice that an elector has marked on his ballot paper. Each ballot box is big enough so that the ballot papers will not be stacked in order.

"If a ballot paper contains any writing or mark by which the elector can possibly be identified, it will be invalid and will not be counted," he explained.

"The EAC would also work closely with the Independent Commission Against Corruption and related law enforcement agencies to ensure elections are held in a fair, open and honest manner," he added.

(China Daily March 14, 2007)