HONG KONG -- The Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-elections of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were held on Sunday.

A total of 28 candidates from six contested subsectors vied for 21 seats. In 22 subsectors where no poll was required, 72 candidates were returned uncontested. Additionally, 10 other members have been nominated by eight designated bodies to the Election Committee.

David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, said that for the by-elections, 3,534 voters have cast their votes, with a cumulative turnout rate of 97.33 percent. It was the first time for the ECSS By-elections to adopt a new electronic counting system for counting of votes. The whole counting process went smoothly.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, said that comprising 1,500 members from 40 subsectors, the Election Committee is broadly representative and fulfils the principle of balanced participation. It plays a pivotal role in the HKSAR's improved electoral system and implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

Members of the Election Committee will be responsible for nominating candidates for the general election of the eighth term Legislative Council of the HKSAR, and electing 40 Legislative Council members in the Election Committee constituency on Dec 7, 2025, Lee said.

Lee expected every member of the Election Committee to fulfil their responsibilities dutifully and contribute to the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.