SECRET
053477
MDHIAN 0459
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND OF A DISTRICT BOARD IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE EXISTING URBAN COUNCILLORS WHO WISHED TO REMAIN ON DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AFTER MARCH 1989 TO SEEK ELECTION TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT IN THE 1988 ELECTIONS.
MR LAIO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ASKED BY SOME PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO GIVE A CLEAR INDICATION OF ITS INTENTION ON CERTAIN MATTERS WHICH WOULD AFFECT THEIR DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO STAND FOR ELECTION. IT HAD THEREFORE DECIDED TO ANNOUNCE THESE ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER AND BEFORE THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS OPEN IN JANUARY. THIS WILL GIVE TIME FOR POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WHO MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THESE CHANGES TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY WISH TO STAND FOR ELECTION TO A DISTRICT BOARD AND TO PLAN THEIR ELECTIONEERING ACTIVITIES OF THEY DO SO.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEXT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE RECEIVED FROM JANUARY 8 TO FEBRUARY 1, 1988. THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 10.
DETAILS OF THE NUMBER OF SEATS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMMORROW (FRIDAY). THE GAZETTE NOTICE WILL LIST INCREASES IN ELECTED SEATS IN 10 DISTRICTS AND INCREASES IN APPOINTED SEATS IN SEVEN DISTRICTS.
MR LIAO SAID THAT THE GENERAL POLICY OF RELATING THE NUMBER OF SEATS TO POPULATION HAD BEEN APPLIED FLEXIBLY TO A FEW CONSTITUEN- CIES, AND TO SOME DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS.
WILSON
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