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In accordance with section 4 of the Legislative Council Ordinance, the Chief Executive in Council has specified October 1, 2008, as the commencement date for the fourth term of office of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (fourth term LegCo).
"Section 4(5) of the ordinance states that the commencement date must be within 30 days after the date on which the results of the general election to elect the members for the relevant term of office are declared," a Government spokesman said today (June 20).
"The general election for the fourth term LegCo is scheduled for September 7, 2008. On current plans, the election results are likely to be declared on September 8, 2008. Hence, the fourth term LegCo should commence no later than October 7, 2008.
"The third term LegCo will end on September 30, 2008. Commencing the fourth term LegCo on October 1, 2008, will ensure that the LegCo's term of office ends and commences on a back-to-back basis," the spokesman said.
Besides, under section 9(2) of the ordinance, the Chief Executive has specified July 18, 2008, as the end date of the 2007/2008 legislative session and October 8, 2008, as the commencement date of the 2008/2009 legislative session.
The Chief Executive has also specified October 8, 2008, at 11am as the date and time for holding the first meeting of the fourth term LegCo in accordance with section 10(1) of the ordinance.
Notices announcing the commencement date of the fourth term LegCo, the commencement date of the 2008/2009 legislative session, the date and time of holding the first meeting of the fourth term LegCo, and the end date of the 2007/2008 legislative session are published in the Government Gazette today.
Ends/Friday, June 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:00
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