CE Nomination Period Begins On February 20

Chief executive hopefuls can officially submit their bids for two weeks starting February 20, five days later than originally planned.

According to polling guidelines unveiled by the Electoral Affairs Commission on Thursday, the nomination period of the 2022 chief executive election will run from February 20 to March 5.

Documents submitted by the government to the Legislative Council earlier showed the nomination period would begin on February 15.

"The electoral law has stipulated that, the nomination period is to be designated by the chief electoral officer, and that means the Electoral Affairs Commission is not the decision-maker," commission chairman Barnabas Fung told a press conference.

"But we do have a role to play, we have to see to it that it's strictly in accordance with the law. I can assure you that the nomination period now designated is fully in accordance with the law."

The chief electoral officer, Raymond Wang, said, "The finalised nomination period was designated having discussed with the government."

Asked if central government officials had a say on the nomination period, Wang said he had nothing further to add.

Hopefuls must get more than 188 nominations, or one-eighth of the 1,500-strong Election Committee, to run. A vetting committee will decide whether they are eligible.

The chief executive election will take place on March 27, with the first round of voting scheduled for 9am to 11am.

The winning candidate will need to get more than 750 votes.

In an election with three or more candidates and no one receives more than 750 votes, it will go to a second round of voting set for 3pm to 4pm.

The Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai will be the only polling station for the race.

Fung said voters are encouraged to use the LeaveHomeSafe (LHS) app when they cast their ballots.

But they'll still be allowed to vote even if they do not use the app. "It will not affect one's voting rights whether he or she uses the LHS mobile application or not," Fung said.