TNAG-1597-FCO40-2182-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 66

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vis;

52.

for

A practical consideration is the possible

problems which would arise if large numbers of

candidates came forward to present themselves

election, thus making it difficult for voters to make

an informed choice between them. This could be avoided

by imposing stringent qualifications for nomination, or

by requiring payment of a very large deposit. Both

these courses would be open to criticism, however, on

the grounds that they would discriminate against some

otherwise worthy candidates, and that it should be open

to any person qualified to be an elector to stand for

election.

In many

democratic systems, the

pre-selection of candidates for direct elections is, in

effect, carried out by the dominant political parties.

This tends to select candidates of suitable calibre,

and with popular support. In the absence of a party

system, in Hong Kong, it may be necessary to consider

some form of pre-selection or pre-qualification which

would exclude frivolous candidates and encourage

suitable candidates, to stand for

election. (Some

possible arrangements are set out in Appendix

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