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Constitution and Administration

accordance with the law. It comprises three politically neutral persons appointed by the Chief Executive. Headed by a High Court Judge, the commission is responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Executive on the delineation of Legislative Council 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.

Structure of the Administration

The Chief Executive is the head of the HKSAR Government. The Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary or the Secretary for Justice deputises for the Chief Executive during any temporary absence.

The Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary together supervise the work of 12 policy bureaus, each headed by a Director of Bureau (usually referred to as the bureau's 'Secretary'), responsible for a different policy portfolio. Together, they form the Government Secretariat. There are 56 departments. The Audit Commission reports to the Chief Executive, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority reports to the Financial Secretary while the Department of Justice reports to the Secretary for Justice. The remaining 53 departments are responsible to the relevant bureau secretaries for the efficient implementation of approved policies.

In addition, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Office of The Ombudsman and the Public Service Commission report directly to the Chief Executive.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice and the 12 Directors of Bureaux are politically appointed and defined as 'principal officials' in the Basic Law. They are appointed by the Central People's Government on the nomination of the Chief Executive for a five-year term, which will not exceed the term of the Chief Executive who nominates them for appointment. They are all members of the Executive Council (the equivalent in Hong Kong of the Cabinet) and are accountable for matters falling within their respective portfolios. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office is also a politically appointed official, with the same terms of employment as those of a Director of Bureau.

There are two additional layers of politically appointed officials (Under Secretaries and Political Assistants) to support the principal officials in carrying out political work.

Role of the Chief Secretary for Administration

The Chief Secretary for Administration is the leading principal official in the HKSAR Government and a member of the Executive Council. The Chief Secretary for Administration is the most senior official to temporarily assume the duties of the Chief Executive if the Chief Executive is not able to discharge those duties for a short period.

The Chief Secretary for Administration supports the Chief Executive in administering Hong Kong, advises the Chief Executive on policy matters and plays an important role in policy

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