The government intends to reform the Legislative Council Privilege Law News: Research on video remote conference voting to establish face recognition

Political situation

Written by: Wu Zhuoan

2021-06-18 07:00

Last update date: 2021-06-18 07:00

The establishment plans to "make moves" to amend the "Rules of Procedure". It is recommended to introduce financial sanctions to fine members who are absent without a reasonable reason during the meeting. The government will amend the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as "Privileges"). Law), and cooperate with the Legislative Council to implement fines.

It is understood that this amendment to the Privileges Law has two main points. In addition to the amendment to coordinate with the Legislative Council’s implementation of the fines for members, it is also planned to empower the Legislative Council to convene all meetings, including the General Assembly of the Legislative Council, through remote video , To prevent the legislature from shutting down due to the epidemic or other emergencies, which also means that even if the legislature is surrounded again, it can still hold meetings as usual.

A fine of 3,400 yuan for absent members of the meeting

Earlier this month, the Legislative Council Committee on Rules of Procedure passed a proposed amendment to recommend a fine of 3,400 yuan to members who were absent during the meeting. At the same time, members are required to wear shorts and only business clothes.

Xie Weijun, chairman of the Rules of Procedure Committee, said earlier that the relevant amendments will be submitted to the internal meeting for deliberation on the 25th of this month and then forwarded to the meeting.

The Chief Secretary for Administration Zhang Jianzong revealed in a meeting with the Chairman of the Council, Li Huiqiong, that the government will amend the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as the “Privilege Law”) to cooperate with the Legislative Council in implementing fines. It is planned to be within August. Submit a bill to complete the amendment procedures within the term of the current Legislative Council.

According to sources, there are two main points in this amendment to the Privilege Law, including the amendment to empower the Legislative Council to deduct the remuneration of members, and at the same time empower the Legislative Council to convene meetings in remote video mode to avoid the legislature due to the epidemic or other emergencies. The situation is suspended.

The development of an electronic remote voting system does not rule out the human face recognition function

In January of this year, the Legislative Council passed a resolution to extend remote video conferencing to all panels, bills committees, and subcommittee meetings appointed by the House Committee. Members participating in the meetings can be protected by the Privileges Act. "Terms", the relevant arrangements will only take effect until September 30 this year.

The source pointed out that after this amendment to the Privilege Law, the Legislative Council can formally use video to convene meetings and other committees.

As for the internal accounting and financial accounting, the news stated that the two committees can amend the House Rules and the Finance Committee Meeting Procedures in accordance with the revised Privilege Law.

As for how members vote on bills and motions, it is reported that the Legislative Council will conduct research after amending the Privileges Law. It does not rule out any possibility, including the development of an electronic remote voting system with face recognition to ensure that the members participating in voting are themselves. .

The Legislative Council has shortened the agenda of the meeting due to the raging new crown epidemic, and many panels have also switched to the Zoom method to hold meetings.

I still remember that on June 12, 2019, tens of thousands of citizens surrounded the Legislative Council and prevented the Legislative Council from resuming the second reading of the "Fugitive Offenders Ordinance" amendment. Many established members were unable to return to the Legislative Council for meetings. There were more than a dozen established Legislative Council members. Once boarded the tourist bus at the Central Police Station and tried to return to the Legislative Council, but failed.

The Legislative Council will study and discuss the rules and regulations. Absent members will be fined. The government intends to amend the Privilege Law to cooperate with the implementation.

The Legislative Council extended the Zoom video to the formal committee to vote by show of hands, and speech is protected by the Privilege Law

The parliamentary committee passed restrictions on the clothing of members, no shorts, wave of shoes, fines, and no implementation in the short term

Consultation members of the Council of Regulations plan to push for a hot move to prevent flow. Those who are unreasonably absent will be fined 3,400 yuan a day

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