Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday elections for the city’s eighth-term Legislative Council will be held on Dec 7 to pick 90 “patriotic, capable and responsible” lawmakers.

Ahead of the polls, a by-election for the Election Committee subsectors will take place on Sep 7 to fill 90 vacancies in the 967-strong committee.

Ninety members of the 7th legislature assumed office on Jan 1, 2022 for four-year terms.

The Election Committee is responsible for electing the Chief Executive designate and part of the members of the LegCo. It’s also tasked with nominating candidates for the chief executive and LegCo elections.

Forty members of the 7th Legislative Council were returned by the Election Committee.

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Speaking before a weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said the Election Committee should consist of 1,500 members, including 967 appointed members and others nominated, as well as ex-officio members.

Before the LegCo polls, there’s a need to fill 90 seats among the 967 appointed members, enabling them to participate in the nominations and voting for the LegCo elections within the Election Committee subsectors.

The nominations period and other arrangements for both elections will be announced later this year.

Lee said he expects the elections to be conducted fairly, transparently, orderly and efficiently.

He has instructed the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau to make preparations and work closely with the Electoral Affairs Commission to deploy and implement contingency plans in various aspects, including publicity campaigns, recruitment and training of personnel, voting and counting arrangements, data systems, as well as security measures.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com