XN000022-1994-03-09 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994

A BILL THAT

ELECTION BILL INTRODUCED

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SETS OUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AND ELECTION COMMITTEE ELECTIONS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICOLAS NG, TOLD THE LEGCO THAT THE AIM OF THESE PROPOS ALS WAS TO PUT IN PLACE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE OPEN AND FAIR, CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, MR NG SAID:

"ON 24 FEBRUARY, THIS COUNCIL PASSED THE FIRST STAGE BILL ON THE MORE IMMEDIATE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS.

"THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR US TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION FOR THE REMAINING AND MORE COMPLEX ELEMENTS OF THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.'

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THE SECRETARY SAID SUCH LEGISLATION NEEDED TO BE ENACTED BEFORE THE LEGCO'S SUMMER RECESS, TO ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO PUT IN PLACE THE VARIOUS PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.

"AS MEMBERS CAN SEE, WE MUST PRESS AHEAD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLY CAN," HE SAID.

HE SAID THE PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW ALL ELIGIBLE WORKING PERSONS A VOTE IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION.

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"OBVIOUSLY, SUCH A BROADENING OF THE FRANCHISE WILL STRENGTHEN THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, HE SAID.

THE BILL ALSO STIPULATES THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE ΤΟ BE ESTABLISHED WILL COMPRISE ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THAT CANDIDATURE FOR THE 10 SEATS IS OPEN TO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AND NOT JUST MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE.

"SINCE ALL DB MEMBERS ARE THEMSELVEs elected, WE BELIEVE THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WOULD BE ONE GENUINELY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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