The number of candidates running in next month’s direct legislative election had dropped from 192 to 191 since the fifth-ranked candidate of the New Ideals of Macau list, headed by activist Carl Cheng Lok Suen, has decided to quit the group, Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Committee (CAEAL) President Tong Hio Fong said yesterday.
The direct and indirect legislative election will take place on September 17. There are a record number of 25 groups running in the direct election, while six groups with a total of 15 candidates are running in the indirect election of 12 seats, which will be elected by association representatives.
Even after the decrease to 191 candidates, the number is still a record for the legislature’s direct election. Four years ago, the number stood at 145. The now 191 candidates are vying for 14 seats to be directly elected by popular vote.
Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Committee (CAEAL) President Tong Hio Fong (centre) speaks to reporters after a regular meeting of the government-appointed body, as fellow committee members Lai U Hou (left) and Iong Kong Leong look on, at the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo. Photo: Debby Seng
