Hong Kong’s election authority convenes urgent meeting to reassign polling stations following Tai Po blaze

The Electoral Affairs Commission held an urgent crisis management committee meeting on Monday to finalise arrangements for this Sunday’s Legislative Council general election, with a key focus on relocating polling stations impacted by the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The session, chaired by EAC Chairman David Lok Kai-hong, received updates from various government bureaux and departments on potential cyber threats, overall security evaluations, and backup plans for a range of situations that might disrupt polling day.

Discussions centred on the reassignment of affected polling stations and necessary manpower reallocation caused by the recent fatal fire. Representatives from the Digital Policy Office, Hong Kong Police Force, Registration and Electoral Office, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, Security Bureau, Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, Information Services Department, Department of Justice, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong Observatory, and Transport Department all took part.

Mr Lok stated that the crisis management committee will remain on standby throughout election day to oversee the voting process and respond promptly to any incidents that could affect polling. These measures are intended to guarantee that the Legislative Council election proceeds smoothly and without disruption.