The Fifth Report

The Fourth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force
Regional Forum (Hong Kong Island)
(19 March 2005)

Discussion Summaries of Group 5
Group Facilitator: Mr CHUNG Pui-lam

(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. The majority of participants supported an increase to 1 600, while one participant suggested an increase to 1 200.

• Participants opined that the number of members to be increased was not important. It was more important that the Election Committee should be representative and legitimate, and that it would allow balanced participation by different sectors of the community.

The Composition of the Election Committee

• The majority of participants hoped to enhance the participation of the grassroots by, for example, adding representatives from area committees, kaifong associations, women associations, and industrial and commercial sectors etc.

• Participants supported including all District Council members in the Election Committee.

The Number of Members Required for Nominating Candidates

• The majority of participants hoped that more candidates could run for elections.

• Many participants proposed an upper limit of 100 subscribers, while some suggested a lower limit of 50.

• Participants opined that it was not necessary to require a candidate to secure cross-sector support.

The Delineation and Size of the Electorate of the Election Committee

• Participants supported maintaining the current delineation and size of the electorate of the Election Committee, including maintaining corporate voting, so as to avoid confusion and ensure stability.

Method for Forming the Legislative Council

The Number of Seats in the Legislative Council

• Some participants suggested that the number of seats be increased to 70, while some participants suggested 80. A participant however suggested maintaining the number of seats at 60.

The Number of Seats Returned by Geographical Constituencies

• Many participants opined that the number of seats returned by geographical constituencies should be increased to 40. This would be in line with population growth.

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

• Participants suggested introducing new constituencies for women, Chinese enterprises, small and medium size enterprises, non-political organizations, etc.

• A participant proposed to spilt individual constituencies, for example, the Sport, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Constituency.

Provisions regarding Nationality of Legislative Council Members

• The majority of participants agreed that starting from 2008, the number of seats which for Members holding foreign nationalities should be reduced gradually. However, a participant supported maintaining the current provision.