Chief Executive Electoral Affairs Commission President Song Man Lei announced on Thursday that based on an “acceptability” assessment, former Legislative Assembly (AL) president Ho Iat Seng has been accepted by the commission as a nominee for running in next month’s chief executive election.
Song made the remarks during a press conference after a regular meeting of the commission at the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo.
Song noted that the nomination period ended on Tuesday, and upon final confirmation, Ho received 379 nominations by the currently 399 members of the election committee. She also said the commission will release the official nomination tally today, including the names of the nominee – Ho Iat Seng – and of the 399 nominators.
Song underlined that, according to the Chief Executive Election Law, each nominee or elector may raise his or her objection to the commission today, the only day to do so.
If the commission does not receive any objection today, the commission will release the “confirmed accepted candidate’s name” next Tuesday, according to Song.
Song also underlined that if her commission receives any objection today, she and her fellow commission members will formally respond to it, adding that according to the Chief Executive Election Law, there is an appeal mechanism for any decisions made by the commission, and the outcome of the appeal would be determined by the Court of Final Appeal (TUI).
Song noted that Ho is the only person who submitted nominations to the commission.
According to the Chief Executive Election Law, each nominee must obtain at least 66 nominations from the 400 members of the Chief Executive Election Committee to become a formal candidate able to run in the election. Ho obtained 379 nominations, which mathematically ruled out other hopefuls.
Currently, the committee has only 399 members as Ho resigned from it after announcing his chief executive election bid. He had been an ex-officio member of the committee in his capacity as one of the 12 Macau deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC). Ho also resigned from the NPC so that he could launch his candidacy. He has meanwhile been replaced by Kevin Ho King Lun, previously the first alternate NPC deputy from Macau. Kevin Ho is expected to join the Chief Executive Election Committee before the election on August 25, which must be formalised at least three days prior to election day.
According to the Macau Post Daily, Song told reporters that the commission decided on Thursday that the chief executive election candidacy platform presentation-cum-Q&A session will be held on August 10.
Song also told reporters that both the presentation and election will be held at the Macau East Asian Games Dome in Cotai.
