ENG-2006 — Page 39

Constitution and Administration 11

universal suffrage. Commission membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the community and includes people from different political backgrounds. In May 2006, the commission had completed discussion on the principles and concepts about universal suffrage, and drew conclusions that, in implementing universal suffrage, we should comply with the following four principles:

(i) addressing the interests of different sectors of society;

(ii) facilitating the development of the capitalist economy;

(iii) gradual and orderly progress; and

(iv) meeting the actual situation in the HKSAR.

The work of the commission has entered a new stage. Since July 2006, the commission has been engaging in substantive discussion on possible models for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council by universal suffrage, including how to form a nominating committee according to the Basic Law to nominate Chief Executive candidates for election through universal suffrage, and how the current 30 functional constituency seats should be dealt with, so as to return the Legislative Council through universal suffrage.

Electoral System for the District Councils

Eighteen District Councils were established in the HKSAR to advise the Government on district affairs and to promote recreational and cultural activities, and environmental improvements within the districts. A District Council is composed of elected members, appointed members, and, in the case of District Councils in rural areas, the chairmen of rural committees as ex officio members. The simple majority voting system is adopted for elections. For the second-term councils (2004-07), the HKSAR was divided into 400 constituencies, each represented by one elected member.

Electoral Affairs Commission

The Electoral Affairs Commission, an independent statutory body, is responsible for ensuring that elections in the HKSAR are conducted openly, honestly, fairly and in accordance with the law. It comprises three politically neutral persons appointed by the Chief Executive and is headed by a High Court judge. The commission is responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Executive on the delineation of geographical constituencies and District Council constituencies, making regulations on practical arrangements for the Chief Executive election, the Legislative Council election, the District Council election and rural elections, and handling complaints relating to these elections. The Registration and Electoral Office, a government department headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, works under the commission's direction and carries out its decisions.

HKSAR's External Affairs

The HKSAR continues to play an active role in the international arena and maintains close contact with its international partners.