XN000022-1994-03-02 — Page 54

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994

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ON

AGREEMENT ON IMMIGRATION LAW YET TO BE REACHED

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WITH THE BASIC LAW, INCLUDING THE PROVISION TO ENABLE RESIDENTS WITH FOREIGN TO GET RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.

IN

NATIONALITY

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, REPORTED ON THE PROGRESS.

"WE HOPE THAT FURTHER TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THIS MATTER SOON.

"AND

WE

GUIDE AS

HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PUBLISH A COMPREHENSIVE SOON AS AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON FUTURE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," MR ASPREY SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN TO PUBLISH THE GUIDE ON THE RIGHTS THAT RESIDENTS WITH FOREIGN NATIONALITY COULD ENJOY.

ICAC'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS

THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) HAS RECOMMENDED, ON THE BASIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM, A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR NG ADDED THAT THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1994, WHICH WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9. HAD ALSO PROPOSED A NUMBER OF CHANGES ΤΟ THE SYSTEM.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANNA WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR NG SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE ICAC'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINAL SHAPE OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.

MR NG SAID: "THESE PROPOSALS, IF IMPLEMENTED, WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE SCOPE FOR ABUSE AND CORRUPTION IN FUTURE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS."

THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ICAC INCLUDE:

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VOTING FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH SMALL ELECTORATES, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED MORE PRONE TO ELECTION MALPRACTICES, BE COMPUTERISED OR MECHANISED;

ΤΟ

RURAL ELECTIONS TO BE SUBJECT TO THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE:

POLLING AGENTS TO WITNESS THE SEALING OF BALLOT BOXES AND THE BREAKING OF THE SEALS;

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