The election of Macao's next chief executive has been set for
August 29.
Under Macao's Chief Executive Election Law, which was passed by
the Macao Legislative Council in April, the election must be held
at least 60 days before the incumbent's term expires. Chief
Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah's current five-year term expires on
December 19 this year.
Would-be candidates must be nominated by at least 50 of the
300-member Chief Executive Election Committee. Each committee
member only has one vote for the nomination.
Campaigns for the nomination will end on July 29. The election
campaign is set for August 14 to 27.
Macao's incumbent chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah announced
his decision to run for a second term on Tuesday. He said the
decision was made after prudent consideration, "Regardless of
personal gain or loss."
Ho pledged to sustain the achievements made by his
administration in serving more than 400,000 Macao residents,
implementing the central government's principle of "one country,
two systems" and practicing "Macao people governing Macao."
Ho's election office said that he will go to the Election
Coordination Center in person on Thursday to pick up a candidate
nomination form.
The local media reported that Edmund Ho Hau Wah enjoys popular
support for reelection. In his five-year administration as the
first chief executive, Macao witnessed a smooth political
transition and a decided economic recovery. The economy has grown
for four consecutive years, achieving a record rise of 15.6 percent
last year.
(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2004)