ENG-2020 — Page 36

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Constitution and Administration

Twenty Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, attached to the district offices, provide a wide range of free services to the public, including answering general enquiries about government services, distributing government forms, disseminating information and administering declarations and oaths (including affirmations in lieu of oaths) for private use. Residents can make appointments at the centres to consult volunteer lawyers under a Free Legal Advice Scheme administered by the Duty Lawyer Service. Rating and Valuation Department representatives are also available at five designated centres on specified days to advise on tenancy matters.

The Electoral System

Electoral System for Legislative Council

Composition of first to sixth terms of Legislative Council

Membership

First term

Second term

Third and

Fifth and

fourth terms

sixth terms

(1998-2000)

(2000-04)

(2004-08 and

(2012-16 and

2008-12)

2016-21)

•

Elected by geographical

20

24

30

35

constituencies through

direct elections

Elected by functional

30

30

30

35

constituencies

Elected by an election

10

6

committee

Total

810

60

60

60

70

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Geographical Constituencies

All eligible persons aged 18 or above have the right to be registered as electors and to vote in geographical constituency elections, which are held on the basis of universal suffrage. There are 4.47 million registered electors.

The HKSAR is divided into five geographical constituencies, each returning five to nine seats in the sixth-term Legislative Council. Electors choose lists of candidates using the list voting system, which operates under the 'largest remainder' formula, a form of proportional representation.

Any permanent resident of the HKSAR who is a Chinese citizen with no right of abode in any foreign country may stand for election in any geographical constituency, provided this person is a registered elector, has attained the age of 21 and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for the preceding three years.

Functional Constituencies

For the sixth-term Legislative Council, the functional constituencies are: (1) Heung Yee Kuk2; (2) agriculture and fisheries; (3) insurance; (4) transport; (5) education; (6) legal; (7) accountancy;

2 The Heung Yee Kuk is a statutory advisory body on New Territories affairs.

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