89. In view of the representations which have already been made by various groups for recognition as functional constituencies, option (i) would un- doubtedly leave many dissatisfied. Option (ii) would enable some existing constituencies to be more widely representative. It might, howeve( d to problems if too many different professional or interest groups were included within one constituency. Such problems could be reduced to some extent if the constituencies concerned were provided with more than one seat. Option (iii) would be favoured by those sectors seeking recognition as functional constitu- encies. In considering whether an additional group or groups might be included, the following guidelines may be useful:
(a) functional constituencies should be substantial and of importance in
the community;
(b) any new constituency should be clearly defined to avoid difficulties.
over who qualifies for inclusion and how the electorate is prescribed; (c) constituencies should not be based on ideology, dogma or religion; (d) particular groups or bodies should not be represented in more than
one functional constituency.
Members elected by the electoral college
90. The principal objective of the electoral college system is to select some members of the Legislative Council on the basis of a reasonably balanced geographical distribution of seats. Although membership of the college is limited to members of District Boards and the Municipal Councils, the electoral college may nominate and elect any person who is a registered elector on the general electoral roll and who has resided in Hong Kong for at least ten years immediately before the date of nomination. In the 1985 elections, all candidates nominated were sitting members of District Boards or the Urban and Regional Councils.
91. Before the 1985 elections, the concept of the electoral college was generally well received, although some said that members of the college should not be given the right to decide, on behalf of the general public, who is suitable to sit on the Legislative Council.
92. The arrangements for the 1985 elections gave rise to certain criticisms in respect of the ten District Board constituencies of the electoral college. The way in which districts were grouped together was thought, in some cases, to have linked together areas which had little in common. Specific examples quoted were the South New Territories constituency, which is made up of the Tsuen Wan, Islands and Sai Kung Districts; and the East Island constituency where the rela- tively small Wan Chai District is merged with the much larger Eastern District.
93. The voting system used in the 1985 elections has also been criticized. The repeated ballot system, it is said, created factions in individual District Boards and competition between separate District Boards in the same constituency. Voting arrangements are reviewed in paragraphs 146–148 below.
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