32
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Territories). Seats are reserved on the district boards for rural committee chairmen who are also ex-officio members of the Heung Yee Kuk's executive committee.
With the formal establishment of the Regional Council in April 1986, a close link exists between the Regional Council and the district boards in the New Territories. Each district board has a representative member on the Regional Council, and district board members are also included in the district committees under the Regional Council. Through these channels, the district boards are consulted on a wide range of council matters affecting their areas.
The Regional Council also has a formal link with the Heung Yee Kuk, through the ex-officio membership of the chairman and the two vice-chairmen on the council. Moreover, three of its appointed members have also been chosen from members of the Heung Yee Kuk to ensure a strong relationship with the traditional inhabitants of the New Territories.
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The Urban Council and Regional Council, which cover much the same fields in their respective areas have, during the year, set up liaison meetings between the two bodies and have also instituted joint ventures. In particular the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee now encompasses both councils. The annual Flower Show is also a responsibility of both councils and is held in each council's areas in alternate years.
At present the district boards are grouped into 10 electoral college constituencies, each returning one member to the Legislative Council. The Urban Council and Regional Council separately form electoral college constituencies, each returning one member to the Legislative Council.
Electoral System for the Urban Council, Regional Council and District Boards Elections to the Urban Council, Regional Council and district boards are on a geographical constituency basis and through a broad franchise. Practically everyone who is 21 years of age or over and who is a Hong Kong permanent resident, or has been resident in Hong Kong for the preceding seven years, is eligible to apply for registration as an elector in the constituency in which he lives. Registration of new electors is conducted on a voluntary basis annually in August and September although applications for registration can be made at any time of the year. At the end of 1988, the electoral roll carried 1 604 048 names, representing 45.1 per cent of an estimated total potential electorate of 3.6 million. Of these electors, 1 045 073 are entitled to vote at Urban Council elections and at district board elections in the Urban Council area. The remaining 558 975 are entitled to vote at Regional Council elections and at district board elections in the Regional Council area.
There are 157 constituencies for district board elections, comprising 87 in the 10 districts in the Urban Council area and 70 constituencies in nine districts in the Regional Council area. For Urban Council elections, there are 15 constituencies, each being a single-seat constituency made up of a number of district board constituencies in the Urban Council area. The Regional Council has 12 single-seat constituencies, each made up of a number of district board constituencies in the Regional Council area. The next elections to these two councils are due in March 1989.
An elector may vote only in the constituency in which he has been registered. He may, however, stand for election to the Urban Council, the Regional Council or a district board in any constituency, provided he has been resident in Hong Kong for the preceding 10 or more years and his nomination is supported by 10 electors in that constituency. Voting is by simple majority.