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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Hong Kong but also in other countries. Perhaps Mr. Chan Bing-woon may give some advice as a lawyer.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Li, thank you for your hint. I too have read books on meetings and law, which say that the casting vote should be for the original motion. However, it is a procedural motion this time. It is not an amended motion. It is something different and has been moved under the Standing Orders. I have therefore not been able to make a decision in spite of consideration for quite some time. Let us seek the legal advice of Mr. Chan Bing-woon.
MR. CHAN BING-WOON (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, whatever I am going to say, I don't want your decision to be influenced.
MR. DANIEL TO BOON-MAN (in Cantonese):—I have a question about the procedure. Is it possible for the Chairman not to vote at all?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Yes.
MR. DANIEL TO BOON-MAN (in Cantonese):—You are now between the devil and the deep blue sea. Mr. Chairman, you have your own right, don't you?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Yes. A former Legislative Councillor once mentioned that normally the Chairman of the Legislative Council would not cast his vote in such a situation. Another option is to ask the four abstainers to cast their votes again. They should make up their minds as to vote for or against. This would avoid causing embarrassment to the Chairman who wishes to act fairly but is required to give his casting vote, wouldn't it?
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I support the idea of re-voting. Some Members might change their minds.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Would Members please avoid causing embarrassment to me by asking me to give my casting vote? I did this once. I suggest re-voting. All right? I hope the four abstainers and those who voted either for or against just now will vote again after careful re-consideration. All right? Would the four abstainers make up your minds as to vote for or against?
The result of the first voting should be recorded clearly in the minutes of meeting. The procedural motion is now put to the vote again. Would Members please re-vote?
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-fun (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, are all the Members going to re-vote?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Yes, as the original motion is so worded that voting against it would mean objecting to maintaining hygiene, it is very
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