The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election meets the press.
The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election projected there would be a 20 percent increase in the budget for the 2017 Legislative Assembly Election, compared to that of the previous poll in 2013.
The likely increase took into account costs associated with the respective expansion in the number of voters, of polling stations, of electoral staff, and of required equipment in the forthcoming election, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Tong Hio Fong, told reporters on Wednesday (8 February) after its first meeting.
The number of eligible voters had expanded by 30,000 compared to 2013, said Mr Tong. The Commission planned to operate 33 polling stations, compared to the 30 stations used for the 2013 election.
The anticipated rise in the budget took into account factors such as inflation and increased promotion of the poll, particularly via new media. Such promotion was in order to optimise community participation in the election, added Mr Tong.
The meeting also discussed the fact that candidates for the 2017 Legislative Assembly Election would need to provide a deposit of 25,000 patacas – via bank transfer, bank cashier’s order, or cheque – as required by the revised Legislative Assembly Election Law.
In addition, the composition of the secretariat to the Commission was also confirmed during the meeting. The Commission also said it planned to meet with sitting members of the Legislative Assembly in order to hear their views regarding the guidelines for campaigning.