SCA: Government strive to hold lawful and timely CE election by July 10
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The following is the transcript of a standup briefing by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, after visiting the polling station for the Southern District Council Ap Lei Chau North Constituency By-election at Ap Lei Chau Sports Centre this morning (March 20) (English portion):
Reporter: If there is a judicial review, will it affect the progress of the election of the Chief Executive?
SCA: Last Wednesday we had an adjournment debate in the Legislative Council. Many members and different political parties suggested that we should not allow the process of judicial review to stand in the way of a smooth new Chief Executive election. They are very concerned that there should not be a repeat of the Reit Link case. In that particular case, the judicial review process stopped a public listing. But in this particular case, there is a possibility of a smooth election of a new Chief Executive being prevented from taking place. So these members have suggested that the Government should consider seriously the possibility of an interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People¡¦s Congress. We have taken careful note of their views. We shall bear their views firmly in mind as we proceed down this path. But in the meantime we will do everything that we can to ensure that we have a Chief Executive elected by July 10 in accordance with the law and in a timely fashion.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, March 20, 2005
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