TNAG-2015-FCO40-2866-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1991-1990 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

101

HKB 012

For decision

XCC (90) 107

on 17 July 1990

·ECEIVER INS

Copy No...

14 NOV 1990

THE PROBLEM

Το

SK

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

A

ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990

32

Ра

1991 elections file

introduce legislation to provide for the direct elections to the Legislative Council in 1991 and to improve existing electoral provisions for the conduct of direct elections.

RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT

2

It

is recommended that the Electoral Provisions (Amendment) Bill 1990,

as annexed, should be introduced into

the Legislative Council.

3

Members will be asked to advise whether this recommendation should be approved.

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT Background

4

Government announced in the 1988 White Paper on political development the introduction of ten directly elected seats to the Legislative Council in 1991. This and other decisions in the White Paper were reviewed by the Council in March 1990 and it was agreed, inter alia, that the number of directly elected seats for the Legislative Council in 1991 should be increased from ten to 18. This increase in the number of directly elected seats was announced by the Chief Secretary on 21 March 1990 in the Legislative Council as part of a package of constitutional changes to the Legisaltive

Council in 1991.

5

A legislative framework already exists to provide for direct elections in Hong Kong. However, the Electoral Provisions Ordinance (Chapter 367) which embodies this framework applies at present only to elections to the District Boards and the Municipal Councils. Past experience in the administration of this legislative framework indicates that it could be improved further before the 1991 elections take

place.

CONFIDENTIAL