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Constitution and Administration
• 106 ex-officio members who are Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the Legislative Council under the NPC subsector and the Legislative Council subsector respectively; and
• 60 members under the religious subsector who are nominated by six designated bodies..
The election of the fifth-term Chief Executive by the committee was held on 26 March 2017. Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was declared as returned at the election. On 31 March 2017, in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and the outcome of the election, the State Council of the PRC appointed Mrs Lam as the fifth-term Chief Executive, with her term of office starting on 1 July 2017.
Method for Selecting Chief Executive by Universal Suffrage
Article 45 of the Basic Law stipulates the ultimate aim of selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage. According to the Basic Law, universal suffrage for the Chief Executive can be attained only with the support of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the Legislative Council, the consent of the Chief Executive, and the approval of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC). The government will do its best to create a favourable social atmosphere for taking forward constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant interpretation and decisions of the NPCSC.
Electoral System for District Councils
The District Council elections adopt a simple majority voting system. Each District Council constituency returns one elected member. More than 1.46 million registered electors cast their votes at the election for the fifth-term District Councils on 22 November 2015, representing a turnout of 47 per cent. There are 431 elected members, and 27 ex-officio members who are the chairmen of the New Territories rural committees.
Electoral Affairs Commission
The Electoral Affairs Commission is an independent statutory body that ensures elections in the HKSAR are conducted in an open, fair and honest manner and in accordance with the law. It comprises three politically neutral people appointed by the Chief Executive. Headed by a High Court Judge, the commission makes recommendations to the Chief Executive on the delineation of Legislative Council geographical constituencies and District Council constituencies, makes regulations on practical arrangements for the Chief Executive election, Legislative Council election, District Council election and Rural Representative election, and handles complaints relating to these elections. The Registration and Electoral Office, a government department headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, works under the commission's direction and carries out its decisions.
Structure of Administration
The Chief Executive is the head of the HKSAR Government. The Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary or the Secretary for Justice deputises for the Chief Executive during any temporary absence.
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