Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Edmund Ho Hau Wah here on Monday extended the gratitude to the entire Macao community for ensuring the success of Sunday's legislative elections.

Ho, in his message to the public, said the completion of the third-term Legislative Assembly (LA) elections has once more demonstrated the ongoing implementation of the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy.

Macao's citizens enthusiastically exercised their civic rights in accordance with the Basic Law of the MSAR and relevant electoral laws, he added.

The chief executive extended his regards to all the candidates and praised those failed in the elections for "demonstrating great commitment to the public."

He said the electoral process effectively facilitated the development of civic education in the society, as the record numbers of candidate groups and voters demonstrated a stronger civic awareness.

He pledged that the MSAR government will continue, as always, to maintain close communication and good cooperation with the legislature.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2005)