(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system will bring the city back to the right track, making the upcoming Legislative Council General Election on December 19 an important moment.

Mrs Lam made these remarks ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, saying the provision of free rides by public transport operators will make things easier for voters on polling day.

“About provision of free transport on voting day, that is December 19 this Sunday, this general election of the Legislative Council is important in many respects. Of course it is important, because some 4.5 million voters will have a chance to select their preferred candidate to represent themselves in the new Legislative Council.”

The Chief Executive noted this is the first LegCo election after improving the electoral system and those improvements bring the city back to the right track of “one country, two systems” and to ensure “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

Mrs Lam said she is glad to see various sectors calling on voters to cast their votes this Sunday.

“I am pleased to say that many non-government entities, including the business sector, are also helping us to promote the election, to appeal to voters to come out to cast their vote, which is something that I think is a very positive sign. So for the franchised transport companies, including the Mass Transit Railway, the bus operators and the tram operator, I believe they also have this corporate responsibility to do something.

“This is more a gesture of collective responsibility to remind people that December 19 is a crucial date. We welcome you to come out, you can take the bus, you can go elsewhere, but also go to a polling station to cast your vote.”