|
Regional Forum on Constitutional Development
(Kowloon)
(19 July 2004)
Group Discussion Summaries
Group 4: Mr Leung Kam-bor
(Translation)
Method for Selecting the Chief Executive
The Number of Members of the Election Committee
-
All participants agreed that the number of members of the Election Committee should be increased. Specific suggestions ranged from 1 200 to 2 000.
-
A participant was of the view that the number of members of the Election Committee was not the most important issue. The focus should be on enhancing the representativeness and the legitimacy of the Election Committee.
The Composition of the Election Committee
-
Many participants were of the view that, to enhance the representativeness and the legitimacy of the Election Committee, the number of District Council members in the Election Committee should be increased, and the members of Area Committees should be added. However, one participant opined that members of District Councils and Area Committees should focus on district
affairs, and it might not be appropriate for them to play a role in the selection of the Chief Executive.
-
A participant suggested that there should be objective criteria for the expansion of the electorate of the Election Committee, so that the public could understand the rationale behind.
-
A participant opined that the composition of the Election Committee should be suitably adjusted in accordance with development in the community.
The Number of Members Required for Nominating Candidates
-
A participant suggested that the number of subscribers required for nomination should be lowered to 50. Another participant suggested that there should be an upper limit so as to facilitate more candidates participating in the contest.
-
A participant was concerned that the efficiency of the elections might be undermined if there were too many candidates, and suggested that the issue be handled cautiously.
Method for Forming the Legislative Council
The Number of Seats in the Legislative Council
-
A participant suggested that the number of Legislative Council seats be increased to 100 so as to accommodate more talents and different voices in the community. However, another participant was concerned that this might lead to more prolonged debates in the Legislative Council and undermined efficiency.
-
A participant was of the view that the number of Legislative Council seats should remain unchanged in 2008.
The Number of Seats Returned by Geographical Constituencies
-
A participant was of the view that Hong Kong was not an independent political entity. The Legislative Council should support the Administration in its governance. Currently the Legislative Council posed itself as an opposition and undermined the effectiveness of the Administration. If the public were not able to recognize the political consequences, increasing the
number of seats returned by direction election lightly might lead to dire consequences.
The Number of Seats Returned by Functional Constituencies
-
Some participants considered that the existence of functional constituencies were necessary and that the number of functional constituencies seats should not be too small. However, a participant was of the view that Legislative Council Members returned by functional constituencies might not be able to genuinely represent the voices of their respective sectors. The
issue of how to elect Legislative Council Members who could truly represent their constituents should be examined.
Provisions regarding Nationality of Legislative Council Members
-
A participant was of the view that Legislative Council Members should ultimately all be Chinese nationals. Another participant considered that the number of Legislative Council Members who were of non-Chinese nationalities or who had right of abode in other countries should be gradually reduced.
-
One participant was of the view that non-Chinese nationals also contributed to Hong Kong. The current arrangements should be maintained.
Other Views
Proportional Representation System
A System to Monitor Legislative Council Members
|
| 
