XN000022-1985-06-26 — Page 26

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1985

NOTING THAT THE BILL PROVIDED FOR DECLARATION BY DISTRICTS OF THE JURISDICTIONAL AREAS OF THE TWO COUNCILS TO BE MADE BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, MR TSAO SAID: +FOLLOWING THE 1986 ELECTIONS, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO EXAMINE WHETHER IT WOULD NOT BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH DECLARATION TO BE MADE BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.+

HIGHLIGHTING ANOTHER AMENDMENT, HE POINTED OUT THAT CLAUSE 16(J) PROVIDED THAT THOSE ELECTED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA DISTRICT BOARDS TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.

+ THE REASON FOR THIS EXEMPTION IS THAT IT IS INTENDED THE ELECTION OF THESE MEMBERS, WHICH WILL BE ON A BOARD-BY-BOARD BASIS, SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL AND THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE BOARDS AS IN THE CASE OF THE ELECTION OF THEIR CHAIRMEN.

+GIVEN THAT THESE ELECTIONS WILL BE STRICTLY IN-HOUSE, IT IS FELT UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE THAT THEY SHOULD ADDITIONALLY BE SUBJECT TO THE MANY FORMALITIES AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO A PUBLIC ELECTION, HE ADDED.

AMONG OTHER AMENDMENTS EXPLAINED BY MR TSAO WAS THE PROVISION FOR AMENDMENT OF THE ELECTION EXPENSES ORDER TO SET A CEILING ON THE EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES STANDING FOR ELECTION TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT FOR A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE URBAN COUNCIL.

ON THE LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE FOR THIS BILL, MR TSAO SAID: THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS TO COMMENCE ON AUGUST 15.

+ IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE BILL BE ENACTED PRIOR TO THE END OF JULY, SO AS TO ENABLE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES THERE AFTER TO BE DECLARED AND APPLICANTS FOR REGISTRATION TO BE ADVISED OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES UPON APPLICATION DURING THE PERIOD COMMENCING MID-AUGUST.+

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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