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The Fourth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force
Regional Forum (New Territories East)
(29 January 2005)
Discussion Summaries of Group 5
Group Facilitator: Mr Eric CHENG
(Translation)
Method for Selecting the Chief Executive
The Number of Members of the Election Committee
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Participants supported an increase in the number of Election Committee members to include different sectors of the community, and to achieve the ultimate aim of universal suffrage in a gradual and orderly manner. The majority of the participants agreed that the Election Committee membership should be expanded to 1 600 with a view to enhancing its legitimacy and
representativeness.
The Composition of the Election Committee
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A participant opined that the existing four sectors should be maintained with a proportionate increase in the number of members for each sector.
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A participant opined that the interests of different sectors should be taken into account and that each sector should have equal representation. He proposed including all Legislative Council Members and District Council members in the Election Committee because they have public mandate. Another participant preferred to include only elected District Council
members.
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A participant proposed that the composition of Election Committee could make reference to the delineation of the functional constituencies in the Legislative Council.
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A participant proposed to include representatives of public housing estates, owners' corporations and mutual aid committees in the Election Committee.
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A participant was of the view that the formation of the Election Committee lacked transparency. He hoped that it could be improved so that the public could better understand it.
The Number of Members Required for Nominating Candidates
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Participants' views were diverse. There was support for reducing the number of subscribers required to, respectively, 1%, 5% or 10% of the total number of Election Committee members.
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A participant opined that candidates should not be required to obtain a certain number of nominations from each of the four sectors. This was because it would be difficult to practise. In addition, there should not be too many restrictions on the nominating process so as not to impede potential candidates from running for the election.
The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of the Election Committee
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Participants supported expanding the size and base of the electorate, so as to enhance the legitimacy and representativeness of the Election Committee.
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A participant proposed that the number of members in a subsector should be increased or reduced in accordance with the size of the electorate. Consideration might be given to splitting up certain subsector.
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Participants agreed to replace corporate voting with individual voting.
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A participant suggested that a subsector for youths be included.
Method for Forming the Legislative Council
The Number of Seats in the Legislative Council
The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of Legislative Council Functional Constituencies
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Some participants suggested adding a sector for students as they might hold different views from their teachers on some issues. Another participant suggested adding new sectors for youth and women.
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Participants agreed that corporate voting should be replaced by individual voting.
Provisions regarding Nationality of Legislative Council Members
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There were both supporting and opposing views on the provision regarding nationality. A participant opined that Legislative Council Members should give up their foreign nationalities. However, another participant considered that such requirement would not be effective because they could still apply for foreign passports through their spouses.
Others
Timetable for universal suffrage
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A participant was of the opinion that the Government should set out a timetable for universal suffrage. However, another participant considered that a timetable was not so important. Instead, he proposed that the Government draw up a working schedule to demonstrate to the public that it was working towards the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.
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