Hong Kong chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu arrives at the main polling station for the 2022 Chief Executive Election at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, May 8, 2022. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

The election of the next chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region kicked off on Sunday morning, as nearly 1,500 Election Committee members started voting.

The process began at 9 am and will last until 11:30 am at the main polling station in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

The process began at 9 am and will last until 11:30 am at the main polling station in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai

Former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu is gunning for the top post after obtaining nominations from 786 members of the Election Committee, which is tasked with nominating and selecting the city’s next leader.

ALSO READ: EC members urged to vote in Sunday's CE election

Lee will win the election if he garners over 750 votes. Voters will cast their ballots at special voting stations. In light of the pandemic, the polling process will observe social distancing measures.

This is the first chief executive election under the SAR's improved electoral system, which was set in place in March 2021 to ensure the full implementation of the governing principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

Under the new rules, the Election Committee membership was expanded from 1,200 to 1,500 to increase representation, while the city’s legislature was also expanded, from 70 to 90 members.

READ MORE: Lam calls on electoral staff to ensure fair, smooth CE election

Members of the media line up to enter the main polling station of the 2022 Chief Executive Election at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on May 8, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)