The upcoming Legislative Council (LegCo) elections will be competitive as there is an all-time record of more than 160 candidates and a record-breaking 3.2 million registered voters, a Hong Kong official said Thursday.

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam made the remarks to the media after attending a LegCo election publicity drive in Tsim Sha Tsui. He added that the elections are important as half of the 60 seats of the third LegCo will be returned by direct elections.

The LegCo to be formed for the third term in September this year will help to shape the constitutional development progress in Hong Kong, he noted.

"We will need to secure a two-thirds majority in the house for any package on electoral reform to be approved and to be taken forward. So we are not just electing a Legislative Council for the third term. We are electing a council which will help shape our constitutional future," he explained.

Lam called on all candidates and their supporters to abide by the rules and preserve Hong Kong's graft-free and open electoral system, and to cast their votes on Sept. 12.

Source: Xinhua