CHAPTER VI
PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF ELECTIONS
126. This Chapter deals with practical issues relating to the organization and conduct of elections to the District Boards, the Municipal Councils and the Legislative Council. It discusses whether or not changes should be made to:
(a) the sequence and timing of elections to these bodies;
(b) the terms of office of elected members;
(c) the age of entitlement to vote;
(d) the age of eligibility for candidature;
(e) the voting systems used in elections; and (f) certain other electoral arrangements.
Sequence and Timing of Elections
127. The last elections were held in March 1985 for the District Boards, September 1985 for the Legislative Council and March 1986 for the Municipal Councils. As the District Boards and the Municipal Councils constitute the electoral college for part of the Legislative Council, it might be more logical if the Legislative Council elections came last, considering that:
(a) it would be desirable for members of the District Boards and Municipal Councils to have worked together for a period before they are called upon to elect Members to the Legislative Council; (b) such a sequence would enable potential candidates and sitting members better to plan their candidature for the various levels of government.
The continued relevance of these considerations to future elections would, however, depend on whether any changes were made to the existing method of constituting the Legislative Council, and to the arrangements for cross- membership between the District Boards and the Municipal Councils.
128. If it were agreed that the sequence of elections should be changed, it would be necessary to adjust the timing of one or more of those elections, at least on one occasion. The following factors tend to limit the scope for such adjustment:
(a) the timing of the Legislative Council recess suggests that August or
September is the best time to hold Legislative Council elections;
(b) as the operations of the Municipal Councils are geared to the government financial year from 1 April to 31 March, the Councils themselves are understood to prefer elections to them to be held in March, as they are now;
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