The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced early Monday morning that 26 candidates have been preliminarily elected to the eighth Legislative Assembly through both direct and indirect elections. 

Voting began at 9 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m. on Sunday local time. 

The new Macao SAR legislature includes 33 members – 14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected, and seven appointed by the Macao SAR chief executive.

The chief executive will appoint those selected within 15 days of receiving the final election results.

 Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai on Monday extended congratulations to the 14 directly elected and 12 indirectly elected members, and thanked all voters who participated in the election.

Sam stated that the dedication of the electoral affairs commission, public departments, and civil servants was essential in ensuring the election's success. He said that through combined efforts from various sectors, a lawful, fair, impartial, and clean environment was maintained for the election.

The chief executive emphasized that this year's Legislative Assembly election is highly significant, as it is the first since the amendment to the Legislative Assembly Election Law last year.

The election was conducted in accordance with "One Country, Two Systems," "Macao people administering Macao," and the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by Macao SAR, he said. He added that it strictly followed the principle of "patriots administering Macao," protected the constitutional order established under China's constitution and the Basic Law of Macao SAR, and ensured steady progress in implementing "One Country, Two Systems."

Sam said that the SAR government will, as always, strictly uphold the Constitution and the Basic Law, while maintaining good communication and cooperation with the Legislative Assembly to serve the Macao community.

He emphasized that the SAR government is looking forward to working closely with the Legislative Assembly to promote economic growth, enhance people's well-being, and create a better future for Macao.

Members of Macao SAR's Legislative Assembly are permanent residents of the region. Except for the first term, which was stipulated otherwise, each term lasts four years.

In 2024, the SAR's Legislative Assembly Election Law was amended to improve the candidate qualification review process, further implementing the principle of "patriots administering Macao" within the legal framework. The amendments also refined the election process stages to ensure the election is conducted fairly, justly, transparently, and in an orderly manner.

Another landmark

The successful election of the eighth Legislative Assembly of Macao SAR marks another milestone in fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Macao" and advancing high-quality democracy that aligns with Macao's actual conditions, a central government spokesperson said Monday.

Sunday's election saw widespread public participation, with high voter enthusiasm and an unprecedentedly large turnout, according to the spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

The Macao society widely recognizes the overall caliber of the newly elected legislators, who come from diverse backgrounds, form a well-structured team, and whose overall quality is the highest in history, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson expressed hope and confidence that the legislators will remain committed to their original goals of loving the country and loving Macao, protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests, uphold the constitutional order of the Macao SAR and the executive-led system, and fully support the chief executive and the SAR government in governing the region lawfully.

The new legislators are expected to achieve even greater success in promoting the appropriate diversification of Macao's economy, speeding up the building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, maintaining social harmony and stability, improving people's livelihoods, and helping Macao better integrate into overall national development.

They are also expected to contribute to building a strong country and revitalizing the Chinese nation, making their due contributions to ensuring the steady and sustained implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macao characteristics.

A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao SAR also extended congratulations on Monday.

The spokesperson for the office mentioned that the chief executive and the SAR government fully carried out the "patriots administering Macao" policy and held the election in accordance with the law and in an orderly manner, the spokesperson said.

With a strong sense of civic ownership, voters sincerely exercised their electoral rights granted by the Basic Law of Macao SAR and cast their ballots. This, the spokesperson said, was the clearest sign that Macao residents are the masters of their own affairs and a lively sign of Macao beginning a new chapter of law-based governance and democratic progress at a fresh starting point.

The 26 elected members are all dedicated patriots committed to serving society and capable of handling responsibilities, the spokesperson said, adding that the composition of the legislature has been optimized, marking a transition between the old and the new.

(With input from Xinhua)