The Fifth Report

The Fourth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force
Regional Forum (New Territories East)
(29 January 2005)

Discussion Summaries of Group 1
Group Facilitator: Mr KWAN Lim-ho

(Translation)

Method for Selecting the Chief Executive

The Number of Members of the Election Committee

• Participants agreed that the number of Election Committee members should be increased. They also agreed that the number should be increased to 1 600 or even 1 800.

The Composition of the Election Committee

• Participants agreed that District Council members should be Election Committee members. Some participants were of the view that more respect should be given to elected members as they were more representative.

• A participant proposed to include district personalities, such as representatives from kaifong associations, rural committees, etc, in the Election Committee.

The Number of Members Required for Nominating Candidates

• Participants agreed that it was appropriate to maintain the number of subscribers required for nominating candidates at one-eighth of the total number of Election Committee members. However, the upper limit should not exceed half of the total membership, otherwise it might deter others from running for the election.

• Participants were of the opinion that subscribers should come from different sectors.

The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of the Election Committee

• The majority of participants opined that each voter should only cast one vote. Organizations should not be given another vote.

Method for Forming the Legislative Council

The Number of Seats in the Legislative Council

• Participants opined that with the growth in population, the number of seats should be suitably increased. However, it should not be increased drastically. It should be adjusted slowly and in a gradual and orderly manner in proportion with the population.

The Number of Seats Returned by Geographical Constituencies

• Participants agreed that the number of seats returned by geographical constituencies should be increased since population in individual districts and in Hong Kong as a whole has increased.

The Number of Seats Returned by Functional Constituencies

• Participants agreed that the number of seats returned by functional constituencies should also be increased. However, a participant was of the opinion that the increase should not be excessive.

The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of Legislative Council Functional Constituencies

• Participants agreed that the electorate of functional constituencies should have legitimacy. However, they would leave it to the relevant authorities to consider which constituencies should be added.

• A participant suggested that newly emerged businesses should also be respected.

Provisions regarding Nationality of Legislative Council Members

• The majority of participants opined that the provisions regarding the nationality of Legislative Council Members should remain unchanged.