Asked whether high profile patrol of police may spark tensions given the current relationship between the public and police, he said that it won't deter any people. "On the other hand, if anything, it will encourage people to feel a sense of security that the police are around to protect them and also maintain law and order."

Replying to query whether people would be stopped from wearing masks into the polling stations, he said voters should take away anything covering their face, "otherwise how can the staff recognize their identity?"

Therefore, voters will be encouraged and advised to remove their masks "so that we know who they are, matching their identity with their ID card", he said.

Asked about reopening of the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel, the chief secretary said the government is leaving those unturned to restore its normal operation as soon as possible, and would strive to open it towards the end of next week.