John Lee Ka-chiu formally submits his application for upcoming Chief Executive election in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Photo: Wen Wei Po

 
Former Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee Ka-chiu, formally submitted his nomination form to the Electoral Affairs Commission, and said he had secured 786 nominations as of Wednesday, which far exceeds the nomination threshold for the upcoming Chief Executive election to be held on May 8. 

Accompanied by Tam Yiu-chung, a member of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee from Hong Kong who also serves as director of Lee's campaign office, and other team members, Lee arrived at City Gallery at Edinburgh Place in Central around 9:22 am on Wednesday morning to submit the application. Lee told reporters that gaining nomination was the first step, and it's up to every Election Committee member to decide the election outcome. 

Lee so far has gained 786 nominations from EC members, far exceeding the threshold of 188 nominations needed to compete in the CE election. It also exceeded half of the 1,500-member EC. 

Candidates for the Chief Executive shall be nominated jointly by no less than 188 Election Committee members, and the new Chief Executive shall be elected by the Election Committee before being appointed by China's central government. The election of the Chief Executive requires a simple majority vote by the 1,500 Election Committee members, according to the electoral system reform.

Lee said it was not an easy task as the campaign office has done a lot of work including explaining his policy ideas to every member, visiting 10 places a day and meeting five groups and five parties per day, to seek support for those ideas. 

"I'll continue the effort, it will be hard work," he said, noting that those collected suggestions and ideas will be helpful as he will publish his election platform soon. 

Lee pledged that his policy will be result-oriented, he will ensure the city retains the status as a global financial hub, and he also vowed to boost Hong Kong's competitiveness and reinforce the city's rule of law and stability. Those major three aspects have been widely supported by the Election Committee members, he said. 

Global Times