Chief Executive Electoral Management Committee President Song Man Lei said Tuesday that the committee expected the budget for the upcoming election of the 400-member Chief Executive Election Commission and the election of the chief executive to be increased.
However, she did not say by how much it will be increased as the committee is still discussing the matter.
Song made the remarks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s meeting of the five-member committee in the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo.
While the meeting was going on, Song met the media to give a briefing.
She said the reason for the increase is that there will be two elections this time – one to elect 344 of the 400 members of the Chief Executive Election Commission and the other to elect the chief executive. She said that it would cost more to pay those preparing the two elections.
Song pointed out that in 2009 there was no election of the members of the Chief Executive Election Commission as at that time there was no need to hold an election when the number of candidates equalled the number of seats available.
According to the meanwhile amended Chief Executive Election Law, even if the number of candidates for membership of the Chief Executive Election Commission is the same as the number of seats available there must still be an election.
There are 825 associations that have the right to elect representatives for the election of 344 members of the Chief Executive Election Commission while the remaining 56 members will be selected through negotiations or are ex-officio members.
The election of 344 of the 400 members of the Chief Executive Election Commission will be held on June 29, according to a previous government announcement.(macaunews/macaupost)
