WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1993
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL INTRODUCED.
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY BODY WITH RESPONSIBILITIES OF MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY
INTRODUCEÐ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE
ON
ROUNDARIES IS
INTO
THE
ALSO
THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION WILL ORGANISE AND OVERSKE THE CONDUCT OF FLECTIONS TO THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE INSTUTUTIONS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID THE PROPOSED BODY WOULD BR POLITUALLY NEUTRAL, AND ITS IMPARTIALITY WOULD BE ENSORED THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND IT'S
MODUS OPERANDI.
THE COMMISSION WILL COMPRISE THREF MEMBERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. ONE MEMBER SHALL BE NOMINATED BY THE FUTURE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
TO
"THEY WILL BE PEOPLE OF HIGH SOCIAL STANDING WHO ARE KNOWN BE IMPARTIAL AND HAVE NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NR SZF SAID.
TO
IS
AS THE MAKING OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES AN IMPORTANT AND SENSITIVE TASK, HE SAID THE BILL PROVIDED FOR AN ELABORATE SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES TO ENSURE THE TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.
"THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW STATUTORY CRITERIA IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION'S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE ITS FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PUT то THE GOVERNOR.
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF THE COMMISSION'S REPORT, THE GOVERNOR WILL CAUSE IT TO BE LAID BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
*THIS
PROCEDURE WILL ENSURE THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OPEN TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY,
74
COMMISSION'S
MR SZE SAID.
GEOGRAPHICAL
WHILE DECISIONS ON THE DELINEATION OF CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES WILL BF MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, LEGCO MEMBERS MAY SCRUTINISE THE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION CONCERNED WI!EN IT IS SUBSEQUENTLY PUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ENACTMENT.
AS THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS KILL START WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER 1994, MR SZE SAID THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WOULD NEED TO BE ENACTED NOT LATER THAN THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN JULY THIS YEAR.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
19
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