XN000022-1990-12-20 — Page 2

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REGULATIONS ON ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS TO BE GAZETTED

TWO MORE SETS OF REGULATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AS PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS.

THESE REGULATIONS SEEK TO AMEND EXISTING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE TO GIVE EFFECT ΤΟ CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE

1990, PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 28, AND TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.

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THE FIRST SET, THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (REGISTRATION ELECTORS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, MAKE CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES THE TIMING OF THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.

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PREVIOUSLY THE REGISTRATION OFFICER WAS REQUIRED TO COMPILE PROVISIONAL REGISTER BEFORE NOVEMBER 15 IN EACH YEAR AND ΤΟ COMPILE AND PUBLISH A FINAL REGISTER BEFORE JANUARY 15 OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 HAS CHANGED THESE DATES TO JUNE 22 AND AUGUST 8 IN THE SAME YEAR. AS A RESULT, THE SPECIFIC DATES FOR THE RECEIPT AND PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS INCLUSION IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER AND THE FINAL REGISTER AMENDED CORRESPONDINGLY.

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THE REGULATIONS ALSO REINFORCE THE MEASURES PROVIDED IN ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT} ORDINANCE 1990 IN RESPECT FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION, BY INTRODUCING AN ADDITIONAL OFFENCE OF INTIMIDATING OR PERSUADING ANOTHER TO PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR, AND BY PUTTING THE BURDEN OF PROVING THE TRUTH OF ANY INFORMATION GIVEN IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR ON THE SUPPLIER OF THE INFORMATION.

1990

THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT} REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR THE CONDUCT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.

OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES IS A LOWERING OF THE THRESHOLD FOR THE REFUND OF ELECTION DEPOSITS. THIS MEANS THAT A CANDIDATE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND IF HE RECEIVES FIVE PER CENT OR MORE OF THE TOTAL VOTES CAST, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 12.5 PER CENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE ELECTION DEPOSIT FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE INCREASED BY $1,000 TO $4,000 AND $3,000 RESPECTIVELY. THE DEPOSIT FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DIRECT ELECTIONS WILL BE $5,000.

ALSO TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW WILL BE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS AND APPOINTMENT OF AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (PROCEDURE}

(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE UNDER LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

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