April, 2021
Special Edition on the National Security Law
   
The purpose of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is to plug the loopholes and improve the deficiencies in the electoral system, and develop a democratic system that suits Hong Kong's actual situation, meets the requirements for the implementation of "one country, two systems", and manifests the characteristics of Hong Kong, so as to ensure the comprehensive implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and enhance the governance efficacies of the HKSAR Government thereby achieving good governance, allowing Hong Kong to develop the economy, improve people's livelihood and resolve various deep-seated problems with a view to ensuring the continued success of the "one country, two systems" and maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.  
     
One of the core improvements to the electoral system is to increase the number of members, enhance the composition of the Election Committee (EC) and empower the EC with new functions. With its membership enlarged from 1,200 to 1,500, the EC will include a new Fifth Sector comprising the Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Hong Kong members of the relevant national organisations. The EC will nominate and elect the Chief Executive, elect 40 Legislative Council (LegCo) members and nominate all LegCo election candidates.  
     
  The HKSAR Government is pressing ahead with the necessary amendments to the relevant local electoral legislation according to the Decision of the NPC on improving the electoral system of HKSAR as well as the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, notably the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569), the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap. 542) and the relevant subsidiary legislation. The Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021 (the Bill) was introduced into the LegCo for first reading and second reading on 14 April. The HKSAR Government will fully complement the work of the LegCo in scrutinising the Bill to strive for its early passage so as to kick start the extensive preparatory work for the elections.  
     
  Read more about the background and main content of improving the electoral system.  
     
  Click here for “A Layman's Guide to the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021”.  
     
  Frequently Asked Questions:  
     
 
1. The Central Authorities have taken action twice proactively in a year. Firstly, there was the National Security Law and the establishment of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and now the Central Authorities have substantially changed the electoral system of the HKSAR. Is it a departure from the principles and policies of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy? [Answer]
 
 
 
2. Is improving the electoral system contrary to the aim of selecting the Chief Executive and electing all the Members of the LegCo by universal suffrage in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress as enshrined in the Basic Law? [Answer]
 
 
 
3. Why the steadfast and faithful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” could only be guaranteed by “patriots administering Hong Kong”? Is there a higher patriotic standard for those who are involved in the administration of HKSAR? [Answer]
 
 
 
4. Are there any detailed and objective criteria for patriots? Does loving our country mean loving the Chinese Communist Party? [Answer]
 
 
 
5. Adjusting the Election Committee is the core element of improving electoral system this time. It is endowed with the new function of electing 40 legislators and nominating candidates for the LegCo elections. Does it imply that the Central Authorities would like to control the composition of the LegCo? [Answer]
 
 
 
6. Even with the addition of the legislators to be elected by the Election Committee, why can we not adopt a more balanced proportion where Election Committee constituency, functional constituencies and geographical constituencies each sharing 30 seats? [Answer]
 
 
 
7. Why is the proportional representation system adopted in returning legislators by geographical constituencies through direct elections replaced by a “double seats and single vote” system? Is this not a retrogression in democracy and is it intended to favour the pro-establishment camp? [Answer]
 
 
 
8. Why does the reconstituted Election Committee exclude district councillors who are elected by the public through direct elections? [Answer]
 
 
 
9. Individual electors of the professional subsectors of the reconstituted Election Committee will be replaced by eligible bodies, resulting in a substantial shrinkage of electorate of the professional sectors. Nevertheless, individuals remain the electorates of professional functional constituencies of the LegCo. What are the justifications of the differential treatment? [Answer]
 
 
 
10. Is improving the electoral system tailor-made for the pro-establishment camp with the aim to exclude the opposition camp from the LegCo? [Answer]
 
 
 
11. One of the objectives of improving the electoral system is to enhance the efficacy of the HKSAR Government’s governance. Does it mean that the LegCo will become a rubber stamp in future? [Answer]
 
 
 
12. The establishment of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee to “screen out” candidates will diminish electors’ choices considerably. Also, it is stipulated that the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee’s decision made pursuant to the opinion given by the Committee on National Security is not subject to any judicial proceedings. People who are not allowed to stand for election will then have no chance to appeal. Does this violate the principle of fair and just opportunities to stand for election? [Answer]
 
 
     
  For information on the latest developments of the amendments to the local legislation and other matters relating to elections, please visit the dedicated website.  
     
  Improve Electoral System
   
 
   
 
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