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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Democrats in small gain in Macau | Democrats in small gain in Macau |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Legislative elections in Macau attracted a higher turnout than usual and strengthened the democratic minority, early results have shown. | Legislative elections in Macau attracted a higher turnout than usual and strengthened the democratic minority, early results have shown. |
| The tiny gambling hub, ruled by China, can choose only 12 out of 29 seats. | |
| Election officials have said a large number of apparently spoiled ballots had been cast, and were delaying the announcement of final results. | Election officials have said a large number of apparently spoiled ballots had been cast, and were delaying the announcement of final results. |
| Concern has been rising about the extent of corruption among officials overseeing Macau's huge casino boom. | |
| Margins | Margins |
| Initial results published on Monday showed Macau's pro-democracy camp winning three of the 12 directly elected seats - one more than in the previous poll. | |
| Some analysts said that this increase, though marginal, symbolised a popular desire for more say in public affairs, especially when the 60% turnout was taken into account. | Some analysts said that this increase, though marginal, symbolised a popular desire for more say in public affairs, especially when the 60% turnout was taken into account. |
| "We hope [Beijing] will now pave the road for [full] democracy," Antonio Ng, a democratic lawmaker, told reporters as he celebrated his re-election. | |
| He said results showed that one in five people in the China-ruled territory had voted for democratic candidates. | |
| The grandfather of Macau's casino, transport and investment worlds, Stanley Ho, is ailing and observers have started wondering about succession at his far-reaching businesses. | |
| His fourth wife, Angela Leong, is spearheading several enterprises and was seen by analysts as keen to secure legislative approval of new projects. | His fourth wife, Angela Leong, is spearheading several enterprises and was seen by analysts as keen to secure legislative approval of new projects. |
| She won one of the 12 seats in the legislature. | |
| The other 17 seats are filled by appointees chosen by special interest groups or by Macau's incoming leader, Chief Executive Fernando Chui. | |
| He was chosen in a controlled process earlier this year after it was clear that he was Bejing's favoured candidate. | |
| Mr Chui is a scion of one of Macau's elite families, as his predecessor was, in a territory known for its tight links between government and business. | Mr Chui is a scion of one of Macau's elite families, as his predecessor was, in a territory known for its tight links between government and business. |
| He will formally succeed Edmund Ho in December, as the second chief executive since Macau's return to Chinese rule. |