The Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) released Friday a new set of Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the Chief Executive Elections.
   
The guidelines will apply to the forthcoming and future Chief Executive elections.
   
Speaking at a press conference, EAC Chairman Woo Kwok-hing said nominations for candidature in the election will be open from June 3 to 16. Voting will take place on July 10 if more than one candidate is validly nominated.
   
Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the Chief Executive Elections covers the contents of the election procedure and regulations that candidates and relevant persons must abide by.
   
Woo said the new set of guidelines is mainly based on the one that guided the Chief Executive election in 2002 and some revisions have been made according to past experiences and suggestions.
   
The commission conducted a two-week public consultation exercise in April, Woo said.
   
To qualify as a candidate, the nominee must also be a Hong Kong permanent resident aged 40 or above and a Chinese citizen with no right of abode in any foreign country. He/she must also have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 20 years before the polling day. In addition, a nominee must enlist at least 100 Election Committee members to personally sign his/her nomination form.
   
Chu Fun-ling, Carlye, a judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, has been appointed the Returning Officer for the election.
   
Notices on the nomination process and the appointment of the Returning Officer has been gazetted.
   
The full text of the guidelines and more information on the Chief Executive Election are available at the election website, www.elections.gov.hk, Woo said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2005)