TNAG-2013-FCO40-2865A-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991-1990 — Page 61

I

For decision

CONFIDENTIAL

on 13 March 1990

PROBLEM

HK 13 012 16

RECEIVED IN P

RY

19 MAR 1990

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

Blue Vol XXXX (21)

XCX (90) 26 Copy No..

TRY:

06 aken I

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

MINIMUM AGE FOR VOTING

28....

Mc Myfer

Ра

27

2013.

1991 con Devel ale.

At the meeting held on 6 March 1990, after 16/3

considering memorandum XCX (90) 20, Members requested the submission of a further paper on the pros and cons of lowering the voting age to 18 in 1991. Reference was to be made to the situation in other countries.

ADVICE SOUGHT

2

Members are asked to advise whether the voting age should be lowered to 18 years for the 1991 elections.

A

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT Background

3

The voting age for elections in Hong Kong has been set at 21 years for some time. This age limit was one of the qualifications for registration as an elector in the Urban Council elections before the 1980s. Public opinion expressed in the context of the 1980 Green Paper on District Administration favoured the retention of this age qualification, notwithstanding extensive community support for liberalising the franchise. The issue was raised again in the 1987 review. The 1988 White Paper concluded that "there was much public interest in the issue of voting age and a clear majority of opinion from all sources considered that it should remain at 21 years.

The relevant extract from the Survey Office Report on Public Response to the Green Paper, is attached at Annex A. It can be seen that the overwhelming majority of respondents were opposed to a change being made.

4

Experience in registering new electors has been that young people are generally less interested. Following the most recent voter registration exercise, it was found that despite extensive

extensive publicity efforts, only 12% of those in the 21 to 25 age group registered, including 2.4% of 21 year olds and 4.7% of 22 year olds.

CONFIDENTIAL

T