Chief Executive Electoral Affairs Commission (CAECE) President Song Man Lei says that her commission is considering the possibility of holding the upcoming chief executive election at the Services Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (aka Forum Macao Complex).
Song made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Friday after chairing a regular closed-door meeting of the commission at the Public Administration Building on Rua do Campo.
The election for the Macau Special Administrative Region’s (MSAR) new and sixth-term chief executive will be held on October 13.
East Asian Games Dome used in previous elections
The chief executive elections in 2019, 2014 and 2009 were all held at the Macau East Asian Games Dome-Coliseum in Cotai, while the one in 2004 was held at the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre.
The East Asian Games Dome-Coliseum was built for the 4th East Asian Games, which took place from October 29 to November 6, 2005.
Since its completion in 2019, the government-owned Forum Macao complex, located near Macau Tower, has been increasingly used for various government activities and events.
The chief executive candidacy nomination period for the upcoming election on October 13 will run between Thursday this week and September 12.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Song said that according to the various chief executive election schedules, her commission is required to announce its venue for the October 13 chief executive election by September 18.
Song said that her commission was considering the possibility of designating the Forum Macao complex as the election venue as her commission has concluded that it would be suitable in various aspects such as its facilities and the area’s road traffic condition, after carrying out an on-site inspection of the venue on Friday morning.
Song underlined that her commission will officially announce the venue to be used for the October 13 election after making its final decision on the matter.
Moreover, Song also noted that the chief executive election campaign period will run between September 28 and October 11.
Q&A session
Song also pointed out that according to the Chief Executive Election Law, her commission will be required to hold a session for each chief executive election candidate to present his or her political platform and answer questions from members of the 400-strong Chief Executive Election Committee.
Song said that her commission is planning to hold the first candidacy platform presentation-cum-Q&A session on the first day of the chief executive election campaign period, i.e., September 28.
According to Song, her commission is also considering the possibility of holding the candidacy platform presentation-cum-Q&A session at the Forum Macao complex.
Current Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng announced on Wednesday his decision not to seek a second term as chief executive as his health “has still not fully recovered”, because of which the 67-year-old will become Macau’s first chief executive not to stand for re-election for a second five-year term, while his predecessors – Edmund Ho Hau Wah and Fernando Chui Sai On – both served their two five-year terms of office in 1999-2009 and 2009-2019 respectively.
According to the MSAR Basic Law, Macau’s chief executive can serve no more than two consecutive five-year terms.
Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Sam Hou Fai told reporters on Thursday last week that he was considering running in the election for the new and sixth-term chief executive.
Meanwhile, the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) announced in a statement on Saturday night that all 400 members of the Chief Executive Election Committee have meanwhile submitted their respective oath-taking declaration forms to the Chief Executive Electoral Affairs Commission (CAECE) before the submission deadline at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Flanked by her fellow members, Chief Executive Electoral Affairs Commission (CAECE) President Song Man Lei (centre) briefs reporters on Friday after a closed-door meeting of the commission at the Public Administration Building on Rua do Campo. – Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng
This photo taken late last year shows the Forum Macao complex in the Nam Van Lake district. – Photo: Tony Wong
