Hong Kong Ordinances

DISTRICT COUNCILS ORDINANCE - SECT 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 occurrence of
public danger.

(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 occurrence of public danger.

(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 from the date on which the election, poll
or count would have taken place but for the direction.