Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor signs the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Ordinance 2021 on May 29, 2021. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Saturday signed the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Ordinance 2021, which will come into immediate effect after it is published in the gazette on Monday.
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"The vitality of the law lies in its faithful and accurate implementation. The HKSAR government will fulfill its responsibility and take resolute enforcement action without fear to strive to safeguard the constitutional order of the HKSAR and ensure its long-term prosperity and stability,” Lam was quoted as saying in a statement.
The HKSAR government will fulfill its responsibility and take resolute enforcement action without fear to strive to safeguard the constitutional order of HKSAR and ensure its long-term prosperity and stability.
Carrie Lam, HK chief executive
She thanked the Legislative Council for enacting the several pieces of legislation, and various sectors and the general public for their support for the legislative work.
The bill was passed by the Legislative Council in a 40-2 vote on Thursday.
"Signing bills passed by the LegCo and promulgating laws is one of the Chief Executive's constitutional powers and functions. I have exercised this power and discharged this function in respect of four legal instruments within a year, which are essential to upholding the principle of 'one country, two systems' in the HKSAR and ensuring its full and faithful implementation. It is indeed a significant responsibility," Lam said.
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The four pieces of legislation comprise the National Anthem Ordinance signed on June 11 last year, the National Security Law, which was passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and implemented following the signing of the promulgation by Lam on June 30 last year, the Public Offices (Candidacy and Taking Up Offices)(Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021 signed on May 20, and the Ordinance signed on Saturday.
Lam said that the government's priorities after completing the legislative work of the ordinance are fighting COVID-19 to achieve "zero infection", preparing for the three forthcoming elections in accordance with the law to ensure that they are held in a fair, just and open manner, and reviving the economy.