ensure that the system evolved in a way which met the requirements
and aspirations of Hong Kong people, while maintaining stability, effective administration and economic prosperity.
31. The introduction of elected representatives into the
institutions of government began in effect in the early 1970s, when
direct elections on a limited franchise were introduced for half the
membership of the Urban Council (the statutory council with
responsibilities for the provision of municipal services to inhabitants of the main urban areas of Hong Kong). In 1982 District
Boards were established on a territory-wide base to serve as a forum
for public consultation and participation in administration at the
district level. In 1986 the Regional Council was established as the
statutory authority with responsibility for the area outside the
jurisdiction of the Urban Council. Elections to the Urban Council
(since 1981), Regional Council and District Boards now take place on
a geographical constituency basis, with a broad franchise embracing
all residents who are 21 years of age or over and have lived in Hong
Kong for 7 years or more.
32. The development of a more representative form of government at the central level also began in the 1970s, with the expansion of the
Legislative Council to include more members who are not officials.
Such members formed a majority of the Council for the first time in 1976, and by 1984 they constituted 62.5% of the membership (ie 29 out of the then total of 47 members). But there were no elected
members of the Legislative Council when the Joint Declaration was signed: all were appointed. Following public consultation on the
basis of a Green Paper published in July 1984, the Hong Kong
Government announced in their White Paper of November 1984 that an indirectly elected element would be introduced into the Legislative
Council as from October 1985. 12 members of the enlarged Council of 56 were duly elected from 'functional' constituencies based on major professional and occupational groups; 12 others were elected on a geographical basis by an electoral college comprising all members of the Urban and Regional Councils and District Boards. The other 32
members of the Legislative Council were either officials (10) or appointed members (22).
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