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MDHIAN 6540
1995 ELECTIONS
9.
I PLAN TO REFER IN MY ADDRESS TO HMG'S COMMITMENT TO SEEK MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. AN INCREASE IN THEIR NUMBER WOULD CLEARLY REQUIRE AMENDMENT OF THE BASIC LAW. THE CHINESE ARE OPPOSED TO THAT. WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING THE 1995 ELECTIONS WITH THEM. BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS, WITHOUT ANY CHANGE TO THE BASIC LAW, THAT CAN ROOT DEMOCRACY FIRMLY IN HONG KONG AS THE JOINT DECLARATION INTENDED IT TO BE. MY BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE 1995 ELECTIONS MUST BE BROADLY BASED, FAIR AND OPEN.
(I) BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION
10.
AN INDEPENDENT AND STATUTORY BOUNDARY AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. ITS MEMBERS SHOULD BE APPOINTED BY ME. IT SHOULD BE CHAIRED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE. ITS TASKS WOULD BE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ME ON ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES FOR THE 3 TIERS OF ELECTIONS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTORY DEMARCATION CRITERIA. IT SHOULD ALSO OVERSEE THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS. IT WOULD NOT HAVE DECISION MAKING POWER ON ELECTORAL POLICY MATTERS, E.G. THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES, SEATS PER CONSTITUTUENCY, VOTING METHOD ETC... ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ENJOY WIDE SUPPORT INCLUDING AMONG PRO-CHINA GROUPS.
(II) VOTING AGE
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THIS WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 21 TO 18. WEN WEI PAO HAS REPORTED LU PING SUPPORTING THIS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH DABHK.
(III) VOTING SYSTEM FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSITUTENCIES
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THE VOTING SYSTEM SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CLEAR AND STRAIGHT FORWARD AND TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE ELECTORS. THE 1991 SYSTEM HAS BEEN CRITICISED BECAUSE OF THE COAT TAIL EFFECT. TO AVOID THIS AND AT THE SAME TIME TO PRESERVE A STRAIGHTFORWARD SYSTEM, THE BEST OPTION IS SINGLE SEAT SINGLE VOTE, WHICH IS WELL KNOWN FROM MC AND DB ELECTIONS. THE CHINESE WILL DISLIKE THIS, BUT THE ANSWER TO THEIR DEMAND FOR BALANCED REPRESENTATION IS THAT THIS IS ENSURED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
(IV) FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
13. THE SYSTEM OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IS IMPERFECT, BUT IT
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