Do your part: Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam urges eligible people to register as voters before the July 16 deadline.

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam and Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman  Justice Pang Kin-kee appeal to all eligible people to register as voters, to be able to vote in the District Council election slated for November.

At the 2007 Voter Registration Campaign launch today, Mr Lam particularly called on young people who have reached the age of 18 to register. The deadline is July 16. He also reminded those who have already registered to inform the Registration & Electoral Office of any change in their address before August 29.

He noted Hong Kong now has nearly 3.2 million registered voters, and that participation rates are rising. In 2003, 1 million people cast their votes in the District Council election in November, a voter turnout rate of 44%. In September, 2004, 1.7 million people turned out to vote, a turnout rate of 55.6%.

"We very much want to continue with this momentum and encourage everybody in Hong Kong who is over 18 years old and who are permanent residents to come out and register as a voter, so that he or she can take part in the District Council election in November this year and next year's Legislative Council election in September," Mr Lam said.