### District Councils Ordinance 《區議會條例》

31A. Electoral Registration Officer to compile and publish District Committees constituencies register
(1) The Electoral Registration Officer must compile and publish a register of electors for District Committees constituencies in accordance with Schedule 4A.
(2) Schedule 4A also has effect in relation to the inspection of the register and use of information in the register.
(Added 19 of 2023 s. 33)

32. Vacancy in membership of members returned at election to be declared
(Amended 19 of 2023 s. 34)(1) If a vacancy arises in the office of a member returned at an election, the Designated Officer must, by notice published in the Gazette, declare the existence of the vacancy within 21 days after becoming aware of the vacancy.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Designated Officer must declare the existence of a vacancy after becoming aware that, after the close of polling for an election, a candidate returned at the election has died before that candidate is declared to be elected as a member at the election.
(Amended 19 of 2023 s. 34)

33. By-election to be held to fill vacancy in membership of District Councils
(1) The Electoral Affairs Commission must, in accordance with regulations in force under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541), arrange for a by-election to be held in the following circumstances and not otherwise—
(a) on the making of a declaration as to the existence of a vacancy in the membership of a District Council under section 32; and
(b) (Repealed 19 of 2023 s. 35)(c) on the making of a declaration under section 39(2)(b) or (3) that an election for a constituency has failed because the number of validly nominated candidates for the election was less than the number of members to be returned for the constituency or because no candidate has been validly nominated for the election; and
(d) on the making of a declaration under section 40(3) that an election for a constituency has failed because of the death or disqualification of the successful candidate at the election or because the number of candidates returned at the election was less than the number of members to be returned for the constituency due to the death or disqualification of a successful candidate.
(2) However, a by-election to fill a vacancy occurring in the membership of a District Council is not to be held within the 4 months preceding the end of the current term of office of the members.
(Amended 19 of 2023 s. 35)

### District Councils Ordinance 《區議會條例》

34. What requirements are to be complied with by persons nominated as candidates
(1) A person is to be nominated as a candidate for an election by submitting a nomination form in accordance with this section and regulations in force under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541). (Replaced 19 of 2023 s. 36)
(1A) The nomination form must—
(a) be subscribed in accordance with the regulations;
(b) be accompanied by a deposit; and
(c) include or be accompanied by a declaration by the person to the effect that the person will uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. (Added 19 of 2023 s. 36)
(2) The deposit is to be of such an amount as is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

35. Withdrawal of candidate’s nomination
(1) A candidate may withdraw the candidate’s nomination for election at any time before the close of nominations for the election and not otherwise.
(2) The withdrawal of a candidate’s nomination has effect only if it is in writing signed by the candidate and complies with regulations in force under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541) for the purposes of this section.

### District Councils Ordinance 《區議會條例》

37. Candidates entitled to send letters to electors free of postage
(1) One letter, addressed to each elector in the constituency for which the candidate is validly nominated, may be sent free of postage by or on behalf of the candidate.
(2) Each letter must relate to the election concerned and must comply with all requirements and limitations (if any) prescribed by regulations in force under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541).
(3) The cost to the Postmaster General of enabling candidates to exercise their entitlements under this section is a charge on, and is payable from, the general revenue.

38. When ordinary election can be postponed or adjourned
(1) The Chief Executive may, by order, direct the postponement of an ordinary election if, before the holding of the election, the Chief Executive is of the opinion that the election is likely to be obstructed, disrupted, undermined or seriously affected by riot or open violence or any danger to public health or safety.
(2) The Chief Executive may, by order, direct the adjournment of the polling or counting of votes in respect of an ordinary election if, during the polling or counting of votes in respect of the election, the Chief Executive is of the opinion that the polling or counting of votes is likely to be or is being obstructed, disrupted, undermined or seriously affected by riot or open violence or any danger to public health or safety.
(3) The Returning Officers concerned must give effect to a direction under this section as soon as practicable after being notified of it.
(4) If an ordinary election, or the polling or counting of votes at an ordinary election, is directed to be postponed or adjourned under this section, the Chief Executive must, by notice published in the Gazette, specify a date for the holding of an election, or a poll or the counting of votes, in place of the postponed election or the adjourned polling or counting. That date must not be later than 14 days after the date on which the election, poll or count would have taken place but for the direction.
(Amended 12 of 2014 s. 91)

39. What is to happen if insufficient candidates are nominated
(1) If, after the close of nomination for election for a constituency, the number of validly nominated candidates is equal to the number of members to be returned for the constituency, the Returning Officer must, in accordance with regulations in force under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541), publicly declare the candidate or candidates to be duly elected as a member or members.
(2) If, after the close of nomination for election for a constituency, the number of validly nominated candidates is less than the number of members to be returned for the constituency (specified shortfall