TNAG-1607-FCO40-22122-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 282

Sir

Translation

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS ROSANNA TAM

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

7.1.87

Electoral Provisions (Registration of Electors) (Amendment) Regulations 1986

Enhancement of the Registration Rate for the General Electoral Roll

The implementation and development of representative government in Hong Kong depend to a large extent on the active participation and support of the general public. According to figures from the Census and Statistics Department, out of a total population of 5 million odd, there are some 3 million people who are eligible for voters' registration and be able to cast their sacred votes at elections. Certainly there is much

to be desired when only 46% of the eligible voters totalling

1.44 million people did register as voters.

The present proposed amendment in the Electoral Provisions Ordinance to enable relevant department to accept applications throughout the year certainly helps to facilitate eligible persons to become registered as voters. I am in full support of this.

It is, however, my view that the above amendment alone cannot guarantee enhancement in the registration rate. Government should devise a set of comprehensive and lasting programmes, in both publicity and education, to encourage citizens to take full advantage of the new legislation by promptly registering as voters and actively participating in elections. In this connection, I would like to put forward the

following proposals :

(1)

To those who have already reached or will soon

reach the statutory electoral age of 21,

Government should consider sending registration