Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Ordinance 2021 comes into effect today
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On March 11, 2021, the National People's Congress (NPC) passed the Decision of the NPC on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Decision) and authorised the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) to amend Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures. The NPCSC on March 30 adopted the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law. Pursuant to Article 7 of the Decision, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government shall, according to the Decision and the amended Annexes I and II to the Basic Law, amend the relevant local legislation and organise and regulate the relevant electoral activities in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility to implement the improved electoral system by way of local legislation.
A Government spokesman said, "The Ordinance serves to implement the Decision adopted by the NPC and the Annexes I and II to the Basic Law amended by the NPCSC, as well as a host of improvement measures for public elections. Improving the electoral system can put in place institutional safeguards to ensure a full application of 'patriots administering Hong Kong', thereby getting Hong Kong back on the right track, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of the city."
The spokesman also said, "The HKSAR Government will properly organise and conduct the upcoming Election Committee Subsector Elections, the Legislative Council General Election and the Chief Executive Election in accordance with the relevant amended electoral legislation. As in the past, the Government will work closely with the Electoral Affairs Commission and the Registration and Electoral Office to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair, just and open manner."
Ends/Monday, May 31, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:06
Issued at HKT 12:06
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