XN000022-1994-11-23 — Page 40

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1994

THE HYK HAS MADE A GOOD START IN PERSUADING VILLAGERS TO ADOPT NEW RULES. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE SPECIFIC REPLIES TO THE QUESTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

THE

(A) WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE HYK THAT MORE THAN HALF OF A TOTAL OF 555 VILLAGES UNDER THE 25 RURAL COMMITTEES (RCS) HAVE CONDUCTED ELECTIONS OR WILL CONDUCT ELECTIONS ACCORDING TO THE NEW RULES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995. THE ABOVE FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE VILLAGES COMING UNDER THE TAI PO AND SHATIN RCS AS AT THE TIME OF THE HYK'S ANNOUNCEMENT, THE TWO RCS WERE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF ARRANGING FOR THE ELECTIONS OF VRS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICTS. THE HYK IS WORKING RIGOROUSLY TO PERSUADE THE REST TO ADOPT THE NEW RULES.

(B)

(C)

AS IT TAKES TIME TO CHANGE ATTITUDE AND TRADITION, AND AS THE HYK HAS ALREADY MADE A GOOD START IN EFFECTING THE CHANGE AS INDICATED IN (A) ABOVE, THE KUK IS STEPPING ITS EFFORT TO EXTEND THE NEW RULES ΤΟ THE REMAINING VILLAGES. THE HYK HAS NOT MADE ANY COMMITMENT REGARDING THE TIMING FOR EXTENDING THE NEW RULES ΤΟ ALL THE

ELECTIONS.

THE HYK IS TAKING A LEAD IN PROMOTING THE NEW RULES AMONGST VILLAGES. THE ADMINISTRATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE HYK PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF PROMOTION TO GET THE NEW RULES ADOPTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. ΤΟ ENCOURAGE THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW RULES, THE ADMINISTRATION, THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES, HAS PUT UP POSTERS AND DISTRIBUTED HANDBILLS IN ALL VILLAGES. IN ADDITION, THE DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE ASSISTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST ANY VILLAGE WHICH WISHES TO HOLD AN ELECTION UNDER THE NEW RULES. SUCH ASSISTANCE INCLUDES POSTING THE ELECTORAL ROLLS, HELPING WITH NEW VOTER REGISTRATIONS, SUPERVISING THE ELECTION. THE QUESTION OF INTRODUCING LEGISLATION FOR FUTURE VR ELECTIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE ACTUAL OUTCOME OF THE COMING ELECTIONS.

AND

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