The source said he believed several of these quick response teams would take action within minutes if there was a disruption, such as a dispute, at a polling station.

“Officers from the elite teams such as the Counter Terrorism Response Unit will also carry out high-profile patrols at other locations, such as railway stations and infrastructure facilities,” he said.

Hundreds of auxiliary officers would also be deployed in each of the regions to carry out election-related duties, as well as normal policing, to support personnel from the patrol subunits, according to the insider.

Another source said officers from the cybersecurity units had been assigned to monitor online chat groups and social media platforms to check for any signs of illegal activity during the coming election.

He said while there was no intelligence indicating that anyone was planning to cause trouble, it was important to be prepared.

“We have to prepare for the worst-case scenario and guard against any possible attacks and disturbances during election day,” the insider said.

The insider said officers on patrol would be equipped with stab-proof vests and other equipment, such as pepper ball-loading guns and anti-riot gear, would be kept in the police vehicles.

Authorities decided to include the vests as part of their protective gear after an officer was stabbed outside the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay in 2021 on the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.

The sources revealed some of the officers involved would also carry out patrols in vehicles around the polling stations at about 10pm on Saturday, with the full team to be ready as early as 7am on Sunday.

“In order to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of this election, police will carry out random and high-profile counterterrorism patrols at important infrastructure and densely populated areas,” the force on Wednesday said. “They will be prepared for any situation and work together to safeguard our wonderful community.”

The election is the first since the municipal-level polls were overhauled in line with Beijing’s principle that only “patriots” should be in charge.

Banners, videos and fairs urging residents to take part in the election have popped up across the city in recent weeks.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai told a radio programme on Wednesday that spirits were high ahead of the coming poll.

“The atmosphere is very good,” he said. “Promotions in the past were sensationalised and opponents would attack each other. This does not happen any more.”

Tsang said marshalling voter support through improper channels was strongly discouraged, adding that candidates should focus on competing based on their election platforms.

“We want to change our election culture,” he said.

The secretary reiterated the government would not estimate the size of the turnout as it could be affected by many factors.

“Casting a vote of course indicates support, but not voting does not necessarily mean that residents do not support the election,” he said. “They may have reasons for not voting.”

The government earlier said it would hand out thank-you cards to those who voted, but some wondered whether it could be used by some residents, such as civil servants, to prove they had taken part.

Tsang said such concerns were “overspeculation” as the cards were similar to those sent out during Christmas and New Year.

“Some said civil servants should show the card as a proof,” he said. “We did not even think about it. We should not overspeculate.”

Tsang said they were allowed not to disclose to others whether they had voted or not.

He added civil servants should support government policies and practise their civic responsibilities.

Additional reporting by William Yiu