TNAG-1442-FCO40-1926-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 67

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Qualifications for Candidates

4.

requirements

For

In many electoral systems there are designed to limit the number

the number and type of candidate.

example:

5.

(a) a deposit may be required which the candidate may lose if he fails to obtain a specified proportion

of the vote.

(In Hong Kong the deposit for

District Board and Urban Council/Regional Council elections is at present HK$1,000)

(b) there may be a requirement that the candidate be

registered as a voter in the constituency in which

he stands for election. Additionally he might be

required to be resident or have a registered place

of business in that constituency. (In Hong Kong

there are at present no such requirements);

(c) he may be required to obtain the support of

minimum number of supporters as nominators for his

candidacy. (In Hong Kong 10 registered electors

in the constituency are required to support a

candidacy).

There are in practice also other inhibitions on

standing for election, eg potential candidates may be deterred by the amount of time, effort and money required in campaigning, or be unwilling to accept the loss of social standing if they lose. In Hong Kong high quality

candidates with professional or similar careers might

consider these factors a significant deterrent.

Deposits

6.

a

In Hong Kong the size of the deposit is unlikely to be

barrier to candidates. Either they will have the

resources themselves or their supporters will contribute to provide the deposit required.

combine to

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