TNAG-2719-FCO40-3925-Hong-Kong-electoral-provisions-and-arrangements-1993 — Page 170

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G.F. 316

6

9.

as

a

The

disadvantages

consequence

are,

of

course,

that

the work done by the BEC would be abortive.

We could thus be criticized for

engage in abortive work.

knowingly letting the BEC

Option (B) : Amend the BEC Ordinance

10.

Under this option (which we have previously

considered necessary), we could introduce a simple legislative

amendment to the BEC Ordinance to defer the deadline for

submission of recommendations by BEC on the MC 'constituency

to 30 April

boundaries from 31 December 1993

[Consequentially,

1994.

we would also amend the Electoral Provisions

(Registration of Electors) Regulations so that the provisional

voter register (published by 22 June 1994) for the MC will not

need to show details of the electors' MC constituencies.]

11.

This option would avoid the disadvantages described

in para. 9 above. On the other hand, although the legislative

amendment is technically simple, it will nonetheless be

politically

votes

controversial.

in Legco to have

a difficult debate in the

We will probably secure enough

it passed, but there will be

process about deadlines for the

talks and where we are heading. As a consequence, the Chinese

may well also react negatively (see para. 12 below).

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