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which to cast the vote. I therefore consider that consulting your views is one of the options, but in normal circumstances, I will give my casting vote.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):—It is clearly provided for under the Standing Orders that if there is a tie vote, the Chairman shall give his casting vote.' The Standing Orders has stipulated this. It does not mention that the Chairman may abstain from voting or have the right to propose a second voting. Unless you have decided that such is the rule of proceedings, we quite doubt whether you have the right to make such an arrangement.
I fully appreciate the situation you are in this time. I am not questioning how you are going to vote. In fact, no matter how you vote, as long as it is in line with the Standing Orders, your decision will be well received by us. The point is that having come to this stage, we cannot afford to be arbitrary. It is not right to arrange a second voting unless the Standing Orders is amended to the effect that in case of a tie vote, the Chairman may order re-voting. According to the practice of general representative bodies, no resolution should be voted on for too many times, because in so doing, there would be no end to it.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the Standing Order quoted by Mr. Lai just now is one of the ways to handle the problem. Basically, the Standing Orders should be followed in normal circumstances.
However, as the Chairman mentioned just now, this is a special case and therefore, the Chairman recommended that we should put the Standing Orders aside this time and arrange for a second voting.
Mr. Chairman, your recommendation is entirely an appropriate one, but of course my colleagues are free to agree or disagree with it. As some Members insist on the need to uphold the Standing Orders, you are only wasting your efforts no matter how sensible your arguments are. It doesn't matter but we have to respect his view. Nevertheless, I consider that your recommendation has offered one more option, which is a proper one for a special case. We can disagree with the way the Chairman handles a case, but we should not challenge it. Mr. Chairman, I will later propose that you consult Members whether any of them objects to the arrangement. If there is any objection, we could first of all vote on the way to handle the case before voting on the procedural motion.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I think you can invoke Standing Order 17, under which you may suspend the Standing Orders and then ask us to vote on the proposal for re-voting. If Members agree, re-voting may begin. Such is the proper order of proceedings.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): Standing Order 23(2) states, if the votes be equal, a casting vote can be given. It does not forbid the Chairman to
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which to cast the vote. I therefore consider that consulting your views is one of the options, but in normal circumstances, I will give my casting vote.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):—It is clearly provided for under the Standing Orders that if there is a tie vote, the Chairman shall give his casting vote.' The Standing Orders has stipulated this. It does not mention that the Chairman may abstain from voting or have the right to propose a second voting. Unless you have decided that such is the rule of proceedings, we quite doubt whether you have the right to make such an arrangement.
I fully appreciate the situation you are in this time. I am not questioning how you are going to vote. In fact, no matter how you vote, as long as it is in line with the Standing Orders, your decision will be well received by us. The point is that having come to this sar, we cannot afford to be arbitrary. It is not right to arrange a second voting unless the Standing Orders is amended to the effect that in case of a tie vote, the Chairman may order re-voting. According to the practice of general representative bodies, no resolution should be voted on for too many times, because in so doing, there would be no end to it.
Mr. Pao Ping-WING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the Standing Order quoted by Mr. Lat just now is one of the way to handle the problem. Basically, the Standing Orders should be followed in normal circumstances.
However, as the Chairman mentioned just now, this is a special case and therefore, the Chairman recommended that we should put the Standing Orders aside this time and arrange for a second voting.
Mr. Chairman, your recommendation is entirely an appropriate one, but of course my colleagues are free to agree or disagree with it. As some Members insist on the need to uphold the Standing Orders, you are only wasting your efforts no matter how sensible your arguments are. It doesn't matter but we have to respect his view. Nevertheless, I consider that your recommendation has offered one more option, which is a proper one for a special case. We can disagree with the way the Chairman handles a case, but we should not challenge it. Mr. Chairman, I will later propose that you consult Members whether any of them objects to the arrangement. If there is any objection, we could first of all vote on the way to handle the case before voting on the procedural motion.
Mr. Lai Hok-LIM (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, I think you can invoke Standing Order 17, under which you may suspend the Standing Orders and then ask us to vote on the proposal for re-voting. If Members agree, re-voting may begin. Such is the proper order of proceedings.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): Standing Order 23(2) states, if the votes be equal, a casting vote can be given It does not forbid the Chairman to
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