Poll position: Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam takes questions at the Kwun Tong District Council Kai Yip Constituency By-election polling station.

People with a political party background can become Government Secretaries under the political appointment system, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam says.

Visiting the Kwun Tong District Council Kai Yip Constituency By-election polling station today, Mr Lam said the Government plans to implement two additional layers of political appointment, including bureau deputy directors and political assistants. He said the Government has been able to make use of provisions in the Basic Law to strengthen co-operation between the executive and the legislature.

Mr Lam said the Hong Kong electoral system is similar to the US in that the Chief Executive is returned through one route, with the legislature through another. This means the Government has to secure sufficient support from different parties in the Legislative Council. In the last decade, the Government has gained passage and support in LegCo on the whole.

In response to comments that the seven-month term for the District Councillor in this by-election is too short, Mr Lam said under the District Councils Ordinance, if there is a remaining term of four months, a by-election will be conducted.

He said the District Councils represent an important element in Hong Kong's representative structure, so it is necessary to recognise the importance of people's representation through District Councillors, and by-elections should always be undertaken within the time stipulated by the legislation.