TNAG-2989-FCO40-3575-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 133

Single Vote, Single Seat

132. Turning next to the voting system for geographical constituencies, I believe this should aim to be clear and equitable and to command the confidence of voters. The 1991 system of double member constituencies has been criticised because of what is called the "coat-tail" effect. To avoid this problem while preserving a straightforward system, the best option in my view is to give each elector a single vote for a single directly elected representative in a single seat constituency. This method is well known from Municipal Council and District Board elections. It also reflects the views of most Members of this Council.

Functional Constituency Revisions

133. Third, we need to look both at the existing 21 functional constituencies and at the nine new ones which need to be created. We

should have two aims in this exercise. We need to deal with some of the

criticisms that have been levelled at the existing functional constituencies by giving them a broader electorate and, therefore, a broader base of support. In addition, the whole system of functional constituencies will gain inestimably in credibility if we can show that every working member of the community has a second vote to represent his or her interests at the place of work.

134. So far as the present functional constituencies are concerned, I propose that all forms of corporate voting should be replaced by individual voters. Thus corporate voters in the business and industrial constituencies should be replaced by individuals who own or control the management of the corporations concerned. So, for example, all the directors of companies that are members of the General Chamber of Commerce would be able to vote, instead of just the companies themselves, as was the case hitherto. According to the same principle, votes would be given to designated office bearers of trade unions in the labour functional constituency; and registered social workers would be able to vote alongside those responsible for the management of welfare agencies in the social services constituency.

135. Taken together, these measures would expand the franchise in the functional constituencies concerned by more than five times. It would also seem sensible to broaden the franchise for certain professional constituencies (for example, health care, teaching, and the engineering, architectural, surveying and planning constituencies).

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