Political situation
Written by: Wu Zhuoan
2020-10-28 11:04
Last update date: 2020-10-28 12:26
The Legislative Council held a meeting today (28th) in which Yang Yueqiao, the leader of the Civic Party, raised an oral question on the arrangements for overseas voting. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Zeng Guowei, will attend the meeting to respond to members’ questions.
The Democratic Party Huang Biyun also raised questions about the probation period of Hong Kong and Taiwan reporter Li Junya. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Yau Tenghua will go to the meeting to answer questions from Members.
"Hong Kong 01" will broadcast the conference process live.
▼Members of the Legislative Council are vaccinated against influenza▼
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Studying pre-registration to vote and shipping ballot boxes
[11:10] The Civic Party Yang Yueqiao raised a question on the arrangement of overseas voting, saying that some citizens were worried that it would violate the traditionally effective election method and also weaken the fairness of the election.
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Tsang Kwok-wai, said that for many years, there have been voices in the community who want to implement overseas voting, and some have suggested that the government allow Hong Kong people from the Mainland to vote at the Hong Kong government office in the Mainland.
He pointed out that this year's Legislative Council meeting could not be held as scheduled due to the epidemic, reflecting that the current election regulations are not adequate to deal with special circumstances.
He mentioned that Hong Kong has been actively integrated into the Mainland for development and encouraged Hong Kong people to return to the Mainland to live and work. The Hong Kong Government is also committed to providing convenience for Hong Kong residents living in the Mainland. The Hong Kong Government has always been open to overseas voting. After receiving attention from many parties , The authorities are studying with the Department of Justice and the Registration and Electoral Office to improve election arrangements, including overseas voting.
Zeng Guowei said that he would conduct research on pre-registering to vote, transporting ballot boxes, how to apply Hong Kong's election laws and law enforcement, and the current government has no plans to change the qualifications for voter registration.
He mentioned that according to the figures in mid-2019, there are 330,000 Hong Kong people in Guangdong. The authorities will collect more data. If the relevant laws are revised, they will be submitted to the Legislative Council for deliberation.
Yang Yueqiao quoted a poll published by the Hong Kong Research Institute yesterday. Among them, 68% of the respondents opposed voting in the Greater Bay Area. Yang Yueqiao asked whether the authorities would refer to public opinion.
Zeng Guowei said he had noticed the relevant reports, but said that the interviewees were "special". The pre-requisite requirement was Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong people over 18 years of age. He questioned why Hong Kong people who speak Mandarin or English would not listen; he also said Half of the polls were conducted on local fixed-line telephones, and they questioned the opinions of Hong Kong residents who were not included.
Zeng Guowei pointed out that due to the greater concern of related issues abroad, he has reservations about the widespread and acceptance of pre-established polls.
The Democratic Party, Lin Cheuk Ting, asked whether the government would conduct a public consultation. He also questioned whether the overseas voting was for the establishment and the Hong Kong government to "collaborate to plant votes." The ICAC also has no cross-border enforcement power.
Zeng Guowei disagrees with the assumption that voting in the Mainland is bound to be "vote planting" and will consult the ICAC and other relevant departments.
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