Three polling stations set up especially for care home residents were running smoothly, Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun said on Sunday after inspecting the largest of the outreach polling stations in Kwu Tung.

To make it more convenient for residents to cast ballots, the government has set up a pilot programme to establish polling stations at three care homes: in Kwu Tung, Kwai Chung, and Wong Chuk Hang.

Sun said staff at the Kwu Tung station arranged for elderly residents and staff members to vote in batches – an arrangement he said was both convenient and efficient.

“The operation and the whole procedure are very smooth. We spoke to elderly people as well as workers here. All of them expressed great satisfaction with the arrangement,” he said.

The minister said the arrangements were particularly helpful for wheelchair users, who could vote simply by taking a quick elevator ride.

“Instead of travelling out and then going back to the homes, they only have to take a lift on their wheelchair, just take them a few minutes to complete the whole procedure of voting,” he said.

Around 350 voters can vote in the special polling stations, including more than 200 care home residents and over 100 staff members.

Around 130 residents can vote at the Kwu Tung North Multi-Welfare Services Complex, along with 90 staff.

Polling hours at the outreach polling stations are shorter than at general stations, running from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm.