Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam meets with press ahead of a regular Executive Council meeting in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 19, 2019. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
HONG KONG, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on Tuesday urged for an end to violence and vandalism so as to hold district council elections on Sunday as scheduled.
The HKSAR government has always been hoping to hold the district council elections as planned in a fair, just, safe and orderly manner, Lam told press ahead of a regular Executive Council meeting.
"However, it is not the HKSAR government that is creating violence and making threats," she added.
Recently, rioters employed threats and used violence not only against police officers or residents with different political views, Lam said, adding that almost everyone in Hong Kong faces threats in this social unrest, citing that those who volunteered to clear roadblocks were assaulted by the rioters.
To hold the elections on time, "violence and intimidation must be stopped," said Lam who also urged to stop blocking major roads or damaging public transport facilities.
"If voters cannot cast their votes in a secure environment, it will be very difficult to ensure a fair and just election," she added.
In the upcoming district council elections, 1,090 validly-nominated candidates will compete for 452 seats in 18 districts with about 4.13 million electors registered to cast their ballots.
