TNAG-2213-FCO40-3179-Future-of-Hong-Kong-elections-memoranda-1991 — Page 108

For decision

CONFIDENTIAL

17 July 1990

XCC (90) 107 Copy No.

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990

Annex C

19...

THE PROBLEM

To

elections

existing

elections.

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

to

RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT

2

It

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

as annexed, should be introduced into the Legislative Council.

asked to advise whether this

3

Members will be 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

before the 1991 elections take place.

further

CONFIDENTIAL