Police kept a close watch yesterday on the election of new leaders of the Heung Yee Kuk, the body which represents rural interests.
Uniformed and plainclothes officers were deployed when rural representatives cast ballots for a new kuk executive committee.
The show of force followed violence and intimidation during elections for six rural committees in Yuen Long in March. Forty-five people were arrested on Monday in connection with the March polls.
Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat, who was returned uncontested, said the police presence was similar to the presence of cats in a house.
'The cats have come to keep an eye out for rats. But that doesn't mean there are rats here and therefore we need a cat,' he said.
'The order was fine in previous [Heung Yee Kuk] elections even without police standing by.' The two other vice-chairmen elected were incumbent Daniel Lam Wai-keung and newcomer Pang Hang-yin.
Racehorse trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee lost in the vice-chairman election.
