SECRET
Qualifications for Candidates
4.
there are
requirements
For
In many electoral systems designed to limit the number and type of candidate.
example:
5.
(a) a deposit may be required which the candidate may lose if he fails to obtain a specified proportion
of the vote. (In Hong Kong the deposit for District Board and Urban Council/Regional Council
elections is at present HK$1,000)
(b) there may be a requirement that the candidate be registered as a voter in the constituency in which
he stands for election. Additionally he might be
required to be resident or have a registered place of business in that constituency. (In Hong Kong
there are at present no such requirements);
a
(c) he
be required may
to obtain the
of support minimum number of supporters as nominators for his candidacy. (In Hong Kong 10 registered electors in the constituency are required to support а
candidacy).
There are in practice also
standing for election, eg potential
inhibitions other
on
candidates may
be
deterred by the amount of time, effort and money required
or
be unwilling
to accept the loss of
in campaigning, social standing
standing if they lose. In Hong Kong high quality candidates with professional
similar careers might
or
consider these factors a significant deterrent.
Deposits
In Hong Kong the size of the deposit is unlikely to be
6.
a
barrier to
candidates.
Either
resources
themselves
their or
supporters
they will have the
will combine
to
contribute to provide the deposit required.
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