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163762 MDHIAN 9709
THE LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN TO COMPLETE THE TALKS HAD ALREADY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BEC TO MEET ITS ORIGINAL SCHEDULE OF 31 DECEMBER 1993 IF THERE WERE TO BE CHANGES TO THE NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES.
IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE BEC'S SUBMISSION TIMETABLE IF ABORTIVE WORK WAS TO BE AVOIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID :
THE NEW SUBMISSION DATE OF 30 APRIL
1994 TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE NEED TO COMPLETE ALL STATUTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR SETTING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGCO SESSION IN JULY. UNDER THE LAW, THESE CONSTITUENCIES MUST BE SHOWN IN THE FINAL VOTER REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE 8 AUGUST 1994."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED : "THE NEW TIMETABLE IS VERY TIGHT. THE BEC CANNOT START WORK ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES UNTIL THE TALKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND LEGISLATION HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN ENACTED SPECIFYING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS.
"ONLY THEN CAN THE BEC CARRY OUT ITS WORK WHICH INCLUDES TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT, THE FRAMING OF PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, AND A 30 DAY PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE BEFORE PREPARING ITS FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS. "I
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95.
"NOTHING IN THE PRESENT PROPOSAL ALTERS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE ONLY WEEKS REMAINING IN WHICH TO CONCLUDE AN OVERALL AGREEMENT
IN THE TALKS, INCLUDING A DECISION ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS IN THE 1995 ELECTIONS, SAID.
ENDS
零事 THE SPOKESMAN
2. WE SHALL BE DRAWING ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTION AND ANSWER MATERIAL IN OUR INTERVIEWS AND BRIEFINGS FOR THE PRESS-MEDIA.
BEGINS
Q1. THIS PROPOSAL PRESUPPOSES THAT THE APPOINTED MC SEATS
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