New rules: Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Woo Kwok-hing, and members Norman Leung and Dr Elizabeth Shing, introduce the new District Council Election guidelines.

A new set of guidelines for the District Council Election have been issued, and polling hours will be shortened to reduce disturbances and allow for earlier compilation of election results.

Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Woo Kwok-hing said polls will open at 7.30am as in the past but close at 7.30pm.

Most polling stations will turn into counting stations after the polls close. For some small polling stations with less than 200 registered electors, their ballot boxes will be sealed and taken under Police escort to a designated counting station, where the votes will be counted.

Mr Justice Woo also asked prospective nominees to take note of the newly imposed ceiling of 20 subscribers for a nomination.

While 10 qualified subscribers are still required for a nomination, any names over and above that will not be regarded as having subscribed to the nomination.

Candidates may take part freely in non-election TV and radio programmes. For election-related broadcasts, the "equal time" and the "no unfair advantage" principles apply to candidates and political parties or groups with members contesting the polls.

Traffic rules applicable to vehicles involved in canvassing activities are incorporated in the guidelines. Candidates should note that they must wear seat belts, that slow driving may constitute "careless driving", and that standing up in moving vehicles is generally prohibited except on certain categories of public transport vehicles.

The new guidelines are available from the Registration & Electoral Office and District Offices. They can also be downloaded from the Commission's website.

In the second District Council Election on November 23, one member will be returned for each of the 400 constituencies in the 18 districts. Nominations will run from October 2 to 15.

Any registered elector aged 21 or above who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for the three years immediately before nomination may contest the election.

Nomination forms are available at the 18 District Offices or the Registration & Electoral Office, 15/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai.

Enquiries about nomination procedures should be addressed to the Returning Officer concerned or the election hotline, 2891 1001.