Sunday's elections looking less likely now: govt

The govt says violence must stop and the city's roads must be clear of obstructions if the district council polls on November 24 are to be held as planned. File photo: AFP

Patrick Nip

The SAR government says the events of the past weekend have "reduced the chance" of the authorities being able to hold the district council elections as planned this Sunday.



The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, said the government's position is clear that it will try its very best to ensure that the polls can go ahead smoothly.



"However, the situation in the past weekend has obviously reduced the chance of holding the elections as scheduled and I'm very worried and anxious about this," Nip said, referring to the ongoing anti-government protests.



"I must say that postponing the elections is a difficult decision to make and we will not take this step unless absolutely necessary."



Nip said there were three requirements for the polls to be held "safely and orderly" with the first of these being an end to violence.



The other two conditions were that tunnels and roads should not be blocked, and there must be a halt to the destruction of transport facilities so that traffic is not paralysed, he said.



The secretary added that the government is working at full steam to prepare for the elections, but the "urgent task" is to stop violence.