Free bus and LRT rides offered for legislative election day

The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) will offer free public bus and light rapid transit (LRT) rides for 24 hours on September 14, the voting day, to support voter access and promote participation in the elections.

According to a post-meeting press briefing yesterday, the CAEAL aims to “create a better voting environment” through measures that include multi-dimensional publicity campaigns to encourage active participation from voters and residents.

This initiative features an outdoor cultural event at Tap Seac Square from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 29, followed by the official launch at 9:30 a.m. the next day, where a ceremony will enable candidates to promote their campaigns with interactive elements such as mock voting and game booths.

The campaign period for the eighth Legislative Assembly Election will begin on August 30, Saturday. As in previous years, all candidate lists will unveil their political platform posters at Tap Seac Square at midnight.

The CAEAL noted the potential for large crowds and will deploy personnel to maintain order, with police available for additional support.

“In the lead-up to the election, the CAEAL will continue to encourage voters to cast their ballots on September 14 through various channels,” said Seng Ioi Man, president of the CAEAL, who announced that three community outreach events will take place on September 13: at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the peninsula’s Iao Hon Market Park and Tap Seac Square, and at 5 p.m. at Taipa’s Flower City Park.

“These events will feature cultural performances intended to remind voters of the important date, September 14,” he added, urging all voters to actively participate in the election, support patriotic and capable candidates, and work together for the benefit of the Macau Special Administrative Region in the new legislative assembly.

According to its president, on the morning of voting day from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., the CAEAL will also establish multiple election service stations in various districts across the city.

These stations will operate under a “district-based coordination and network support” model to assist voters, including helping them locate their designated polling stations. Additionally, transportation services will be provided for voters with specific needs.

In a recent statement, Seng highlighted the CAEAL’s collaboration with two public bus operators and the LRT company to provide free services for all passengers on voting day. “The original intention of this service was to facilitate voters in reaching polling stations,” he explained. “Based on this consideration, we recommended to the government that the two bus operators and the LRT company offer free services, and the government has adopted this recommendation. Specific details will be announced later.”

Seng emphasized that these various measures, including publicity campaigns, the establishment of election service stations, and transportation arrangements, are designed to assist all voters. He noted that these initiatives will not only help those working on election day but will also enable more people to reach polling stations smoothly and cast their votes.

Rules for Voters

The CAEAL reiterated its warning yesterday that the use of devices for recording, video recording, or photography is strictly prohibited within polling station premises, particularly when it comes to photographing ballot papers.

Noncompliance may result in legal consequences. Seng emphasized that, according to the law, publicly encouraging others to cast blank ballots, abstain from voting, or submit invalid ballots constitutes a criminal offense. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating, “It is difficult to define in a few simple words which behaviors are permissible and which are not.”

Following a recent post-meeting press briefing urging civil servants, public capital enterprise personnel, and government-contracted staff to lead by example in fulfilling their civic duties during the Legislative Assembly elections, the CAEAL reiterated the importance of neutrality among public officials.

“According to the election law, public officials must remain impartial while carrying out their duties, a requirement that also applies to members of the security forces and judicial officers. These individuals are prohibited from making public political statements, including signing a Nominating Committee list or participating in election campaigns,” stated Seng.

He added that these personnel, as voters, are not barred from casting their secret ballots at designated polling stations on September 14. Furthermore, he emphasized that all relevant personnel working on election day, regardless of their sector, should be granted sufficient time by their supervisors or employers to leave their workplaces and vote.

Meanwhile, the CAEAL has reported a new case of non-compliance, increasing the total number of cases to 19. This latest incident involves suspected early publicity, with specific details currently under analysis.