SECRET
Нив
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
REC
2.
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1634
INDEX
OF 190847Z OCTOBER 93
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
P.". Electold &
(011/7)163762
MDHIAN 9709
HUB 011/7
го
Mclare Mc Goose.
~ 21110
Top cc. to pa pl.
14 in Man's
PERSONAL FOR : MORRIS, HKD
FOR : MICHAEL SZE, VISITING PEKING
YOUR TELNO 902
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 : PRESS LINE
WE SHALL BE ISSUING THE FOLLOWING PRESS STATEMENT AT 13.00 HONG KONG TIME ON 20 OCTOBER.
BEGINS :
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE STATUTORY TIMETABLE FROM 31 DECEMBER 1993 TO 30 APRIL 1994 FOR THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (EEC) TO SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE THIS FRIDAY (22 OCTOBER) AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 27 OCTOBER.
THE BEC IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEMARCATING GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PUBLIC. ITS WORK IS GOVERNED BY A STRICT STATUTORY TIMETABLE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS MUST BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR IN LAW.
HOWEVER, THE COMPOSITION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE
BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
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