On Sunday, the Macao SAR held its eighth Legislative Assembly election under a refreshed Election Law, electing 26 new members to its 33-seat body. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., residents of the SAR turned out to vote in what Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai called a "milestone moment" for the region's governance.
The preliminary results, announced early Monday by the Electoral Affairs Commission, outlined the composition:
- 14 directly elected members
- 12 indirectly elected members
- 7 appointed members to be designated within 15 days of final results
This election is the first since last year’s amendment to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, designed to streamline candidate qualification and reinforce the principle of "patriots administering Macao." Voter participation reflected strong civic engagement, credited partly to a transparent, fair, and clean electoral process.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai praised the dedication of the Electoral Affairs Commission, public departments, and civil servants for ensuring the vote ran smoothly. He emphasized that the poll upheld "One Country, Two Systems," Macao people administering Macao, and the region’s high degree of autonomy as enshrined in the Basic Law.
Looking ahead, the SAR government will work closely with the new assembly to drive economic development, enhance quality of life, and chart a sustainable future for the region. With each four-year term, the Legislative Assembly remains pivotal in shaping policies that resonate with local priorities and global trends.
As the Macao SAR balances its unique status within an evolving global landscape, this election underscores its commitment to lawful, orderly governance and active citizen participation.
Reference(s):
26 elected as new legislators of Macao SAR, preliminary results show
cgtn.com
