CAEAL urges 328,000 voters to fulfill obligation to elect legislators

The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) announced yesterday that Macau has approximately 328,610 eligible voters, although this figure may continue to decrease slightly due to mental health issues, judicial rulings, or deaths.

The commission urged civil servants and public enterprise employees to motivate family and friends to participate in the September 14 legislative election.

Speaking at a post-meeting press briefing at noon, Seng Ioi Man, president of the CAEAL, urged civil servants, public enterprise employees, and government contractors to lead by example and fulfill their civic duties.

He emphasized the importance of actively participating in the Legislative Assembly elections and encouraging family and friends to join in. “Do not miss this valuable opportunity for civic education,” he stated, “and work together to secure a better future for ourselves and future generations.”

According to the CAEAL, as of mid-August, Macau had recorded approximately 328,610 registered voters, down from 333,391 at the beginning of the year.

This decrease was attributed to about 4,520 voters being deregistered due to mental disorders, judicial rulings, and deaths, as well as approximately 260 individuals who registered early but will be under 18 on election day.

Seng reaffirmed that citizens, including public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises and government-contracted companies, have the right to participate in election campaign activities during non-duty hours and to vote on election day.

Public entities and enterprises are encouraged to arrange for on-duty personnel to vote while maintaining neutrality in their duties.

“For example, transportation can be provided to take relevant personnel to and from polling stations and their workplaces,” Seng explained, reminding everyone that campaigning for any candidate during this process is prohibited to ensure impartiality.

He also stated that normal community activities and services should not be suspended due to the election.

Public entities and contractors can continue collaborating with community organizations, but these activities must remain separate from any election campaign efforts to comply with election law provisions.

The CAEAL emphasized that the Legislative Assembly elections are a significant political event for the Macau Special Administrative Region this year, stating that citizens have both the right and the obligation to participate in electing their legislative representatives.

In 2021, during the seventh Legislative Assembly elections, the CAEAL underscored the importance of political neutrality among staff members of public entities.

The guidelines explicitly prohibit these individuals from engaging in any political activities while on duty, including displaying election campaign materials in the workplace.

Public sector personnel are obliged to adhere to these regulations, which have been in place for an extended period. This includes judicial officers and members of the security forces, who must comply with relevant special laws.

According to the principle that special laws take precedence over general laws, these personnel are mandated to maintain a stance of political neutrality.

Additionally, signing in support of forming a nomination committee is regarded as a public political statement. This action signifies a voter’s willingness to join the committee, endorse the proposed candidate list, and participate in associated campaign activities.