Time to choose: Students use flip boards to promote the 2004 Legislative Council Election.

Community participation and support will be essential to a successful election in September, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says.

Speaking at the 2004 Legislative Council Election publicity campaign at the Cultural Centre today, Mr Tsang called on eligible people to vote on September 12. He said the Electoral Affairs Commission, the ICAC and other Government departments will closely monitor the election process to ensure fairness, openness and honesty.

Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho reminded those registered to cast their votes to elect somebody they can identify with. To facilitate identification of candidates by electors, ballot papers will carry their particulars, including photographs, emblems of the candidates and their supporting bodies, and names or abbreviated names of supporting bodies.

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said candidates can also choose to indicate whether they are 'independent' or 'non-affiliated' on the ballot paper.

Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Woo Kwok-hing said polling staff will remind electors not to use mobile phones and cameras inside polling stations. Talking on the phone or taking photos in a polling station are offences that could lead to fines and imprisonment.