XN000022-1994-03-03 — Page 4

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994

AFTER SAID.

"THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY END OF APRIL THE CONCLUSTON OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE," MR JUSTICE WOO

SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR JUSTICE WOO SAID SIMILAR то THE DELINEATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD (DB) CONSTITUENCIES, THE BEC WAS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE ITS PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON THE BASIS OF THE STATUTORY CRITERIA PRESCRIBED UNDER THE LAW.

"THE MAIN CRITERION IS THE POPULATION FACTOR. OTHER FACTORS WHICH THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS INCLUDE COMMUNITY IDENTITIES, PRESERVATION OF LOCAL TIES, PHYSICAL FEATURES, ACCESSIBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELEVANT AREAS. THE COMMISSION APPLIES THESE CRITERIA FAIRLY AND CONSISTENTLY IN ITS DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES, HE SAID.

MR JUSTICE WOO POINTED OUT THAT AS DISTINCT FROM THE DEMARCATION OF THE DB CONSTITUENCIES, THE NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES PROPOSED BY THE BEC MUST BE EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT MAY BE ELECTED TO THE PUBLIC BODY CONCERNED, THAT IS, 32 FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 27 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.

"THE COMMISSION HAS NO DISCRETION TO INCREASE OR REDUCE THE NUMBER AND HENCE THERE IS NO FLEXIBILITY WHATSOEVER IN THIS RESPECT. FURTHERMORE, EACH PROPOSED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY HAS TO BE COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE WHOLE NEW DB CONSTITUENCIES.

"THE COMMISSION'S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN DRAWN AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND BALANCE OF ALL THE RELEVANT FACTORS.

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"TO FRESERVE THE INTEGRITY AND COMMUNITY TIES OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS AND то AVOID FORMING PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY WITH DB CONSTITUENCIES FROM DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, THE COMMISSION FINDS IT DESIRABLE THAT THREE OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD DEVIATE FROM THE POPULATION QUOTA BEYOND THE +/- 25 PER CENT LIMIT, JUSTICE WOO SAID.

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MR

A NOTICE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4).

MAPS SHOWING THE DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS AND DESCRIPTION TABLES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION BETWEEN MARCH 4 AND APRIL 6 AT OVER 440 LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY. THEY INCLUDE:

*

REGISTRATION

AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR IN HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAT;

THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AT SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD; DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES;

ESTATE OFFICES OF ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES;

/* ALL URBAN