In a concerted move, the city’s leader and government officials on Thursday kicked off their campaign to rally the public to cast their ballots and vote to influence the direction the city will take in the future at the upcoming legislature poll in December.

At the kick-off ceremony for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said it is of great importance for Hong Kong to pick “capable, responsible and passionate lawmakers” to serve residents, with many policies for the city at a critical juncture and in need of the legislature’s approval before they can move forward.

The ceremony was held a day before the nomination period for the poll begins. The election, which will return 90 lawmakers — 20 from the geographical constituencies, 30 from the functional constituencies, and 40 from the Election Committee constituency — is set to take place on Dec 7.

Lee said Hong Kong is at a critical point in its advancement from stability to prosperity, and the government is sparing no efforts to deepen reform, develop the economy and improve livelihoods, with many related policies needing approval or the allocation of funding from the legislature before they can be implemented.

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Lee encouraged all sectors of society to cast their ballots on voting day, and urged organizations from both the public and private sectors, as well as patriotic groups, to fulfill their social responsibilities by encouraging their employees to participate.

Civil servants should take the lead in voting, Lee said, adding that the government — as the city’s largest employer — will ensure staff who are on duty can leave their posts to vote, with sufficient backup personnel available to cover their absence.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will ensure the election is conducted in a fair, just, honest, safe and orderly manner, Lee added.

At the same event, Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission Lok Kai-hong said that voting is not just a right, but a social responsibility, as residents are given the opportunity to directly influence public policies in various sectors such as healthcare, labor, education, transport, and housing through voting.

Voters will not only be selecting lawmakers, but will be choosing a future, Lok said.

Lok pointed out that the improved electoral system further enhances the extensive representativeness, political inclusiveness, balanced participation, and fair competition in elections, and has established a solid foundation for the long-term, healthy development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

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The seventh-term LegCo, which was elected under the improved electoral system, has performed excellently during the last four-year term, Lee said. The council has passed nearly 130 bills — representing almost a 60 percent increase compared to the previous term — and has approved over 260 projects related to the rule of law and livelihoods, worth HK$700 billion ($90 billion). One of the key bills that was passed was the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, a historical bill that completed the city’s constitutional responsibility, which had remained unfinished for 26 years.  

Other high-level officials in the SAR government are also calling on the public to vote in the upcoming election.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the SAR government will lead civil servants to actively engage in the electoral process, and provide them with all feasible opportunities to vote.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung described the election as a crucial moment to unite public opinion and select suitable candidates. He urged residents to participate in the election and propel Hong Kong society forward.

Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, deputy chief secretary for administration, said that participating in the election is a way of telling a good Hong Kong story, and can contribute to enhancing Hong Kong's international prestige, competitive edge, economic prosperity and social stability.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com