In the past, helpers for elections were recruited via voluntary engagement from civil servants.

But Nip on Friday sent an open letter to all civil servants, saying the government would appoint suitable staffers as helpers in the Legco election and that those appointed have an "unshirkable responsibility."

"This arrangement hopes to ensure that there will be suitable civil servants taking up these jobs, which is why we have invited each department to nominate their members to take up the posts," he said yesterday after a radio interview.

Nip estimated that more than 36,000 helpers are needed on the voting day to distribute tickets, maintain the order of polling stations and count votes, given that there are over 4.4 million registered voters and that there will be over 620 voting stations.

The Registration and Electoral Office started sending letters of appointments on Friday.

The appointed civil servants will have to attend briefings and training.

Nip said yesterday that those who have to undergo training can go during their office hours and will not have to ask for leave.

"At the same time, if you are appointed to do a certain job and you are absent without reason, this will be followed up by relevant disciplinary procedures similar to our usual practices," he added.

Separately, Nip said on a radio program that some of the directorate posts in the civil service could be filled through open recruitment to the public.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in her last policy address that the government will review the existing selection and appointment mechanism for the senior levels of the civil service in accordance with the principle of meritocracy.

She noted that they aim to appoint the most inspired and competent officers for the positions that are the most suitable for them.

While there are about 1,500 directorate posts in the government, Nip did not reveal how many of them will be open for outsiders to apply to.