The two-week candidate nomination period for the 2007 Arts Development Council arts interest representative will run from August 14 to 27, the Home Affairs Bureau says. Guidelines and forms can be downloaded here.

To stand for nomination a candidate must be a registered voter of the particular arts interest for which they are standing as a candidate. They must be nominated by at least five proposers, or 1% of the number of registered voters from the same arts interest, whichever is higher. A proposer must be a registered voter of the same arts interest as the candidate and may nominate one candidate in this nomination exercise.

Based on the registered voter roll, the number of proposers required for each of the 10 arts interests is: five each for arts administration, arts criticism, arts education, drama, film arts, literary arts; six for music; 12 for Chinese opera (xiqu); 13 for visual arts; and 17 for dance.

There will be a four-week electioneering period for the candidates after the close of the candidate nomination phase. A candidate forum will be organised by the nomination agent at which the candidates will have the chance to present their platforms and address their voters. Polling is scheduled for September 28 to 30.

This year's voter registration exercise ended on August 3, with more than 7,000 voters, representing a significant surge over the 5,337 who registered in 2004.

Registered voters will receive notification letters and candidate application forms this week. Those who do not receive the materials can call 2520 2857.