XN000022-1981-01-14 — Page 5

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1981

THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS TO BE BASED ON THE EXISTING SYSTEM.

AT THE ELECTIONS FOR BOTH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGISTERED PERSONS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO VOTE IN CONSTITUENCIES BASED ON THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS THEY DECLARED AT REGISTRATION. AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER, RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE IN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS- HOWEVER PERSONS LIVING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO STAND AS CANDIDATES FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL PROVIDED THEY FULFILLED THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

THE METHOD OF VOTING FOR BOTH DISTRICT BOARDS AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IS TO BE THE SIMPLE +FIRST PAST THE POST+ SYSTEM I.E. BY SIMPLE MAJORITY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALSO ON JANUARY 21, 1981, THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 WOULD BE INTRODUCED.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO LIMIT THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF SIX URBAN COUNCILLORS ELECTED IN THE MARCH 1981 ELECTION TO TWO YEARS. THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE TERMS OF ALL 12 ELECTED COUNCILLORS WOULD EXPIRE IN MARCH 1983, AT WHICH TIME URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WOULD BE HELD UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.

THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE NEW ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD BE ENACTED IN MAY THIS YEAR, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, AND REGISTRATION FOR THESE ELECTIONS WOULD BEGIN IN JUNE.

GOVERNOR TO LAUNCH YEAR OF THE DISABLED ****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL OFFICIALLY DECLARE OPEN HONG KONG'S CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS (IYDP) AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL, CITY HALL THIS FRIDAY (JANUARY 16) AFTERNOON.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SERIES OF EVENTS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS IYDP THIS YEAR.

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THEY ARE PRIMARILY DIRECTED TO INCREASING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT DISABILITY IS, AN AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS IT MAY BRING, AND THE REHABILITATION SERVICES AVAILABLE.

ALSO ADDRESSING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE IYDP, DR HARRY FANG AND THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR E.P. HO.

AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE GOVERNOR WILL PROCEED TO THE EXHIBITION HALL TO CUT THE RIBBON FOR AN EXHIBITION ENTITLED ONE OF US+ -- THE FIRST EVENT IN THE SERIES.

/HR WILL