High Court
66-563: The New Territories East geographical constituency was one of the five geographical constituencies in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong . It was established in 1998 for the first SAR Legislative Council election and was abolished under the 2021 overhaul of the Hong Kong electoral system . It encompassed Sha Tin District , Tai Po District , North District and Sai Kung District . In
132-532: A by-election as part of the de facto "Five Constituencies Referendum" to pressure the government on the 2012 constitutional reform package . Leung was re-elected with a low turnout due to the government and pro-Beijing boycott, while Emily Lau's Democratic Party brokered a compromise with the Beijing authorities over the reform proposal, which increased the seats of the Legislative Council from 30 to 35, making
198-403: A clear commitment to abolishing functional constituencies by 2020 at the latest; to make the composition of Election Committee for the chief executive more representative and its workings more transparent; to broaden the electoral base by rebalancing constituencies. Cardinal Joseph Zen expressed his outrage, anger and helplessness at being "treat[ed] like idiots" by the government. He denounced
264-509: A lame-duck administration if his reform package was again defeated. Believed that Beijing wanted reform in Hong Kong to offset international pressure over the lack of human rights, and to set an example for Taiwan, they abandoned the 'radicals' to their referendum plan. The Alliance for Universal Suffrage – an umbrella group of moderates with Democratic Party at its core which counts 15 legislators as its members – entered into discussions with representatives of Beijing. They asked for guarantees of
330-585: A one-person, one-vote election. Ultimately, the nomination committee would be scrapped. For the legislature, they propose returning half Legco's seats by direct election in single-seat constituencies, with the other half determined by proportional representation. During his campaign in the CE election in 2007, Donald Tsang promised that he would "endeavour to forge consensus within the community within his new term, so that universal suffrage could be implemented as soon as possible." A Green Paper on Constitutional Development
396-448: A road of no return paved with thorns." He said that there was time to have an in-depth discussion on whether functional constituencies should exist, and how legislators should be elected under universal suffrage, but said: "It is undemocratic, unscientific and impractical to simplify the matter as `scrapping functional constituencies' and peg it with the 2012 political reform package." Pan-democrats expressed their deep disappointment with
462-500: A roadmap and is thus confined to discussing change for 2012, and not beyond, are no improvement on those vetoed five years ago. She criticised the government for dodging important questions such as how universal suffrage reconciled with functional constituencies; how reform will not be blocked in Legco by functional constituency legislators, who make up half the chamber; and how the political system should evolve to improve governance and mitigate
528-487: A separate ticket targeting North District and Tai Po District , while Andrew Cheng targeted Sha Tin District and Sai Kung District . Two extra seats were added to New Territories East in 2004 election , in which the pro-democrats formed a star-dubbed "7.1 United Front" ticket which aimed at winning five seats riding on the pro-democracy wave from the 2003 mass demonstration . However only the first three candidates, Andrew Cheng, Emily Lau and Ronny Tong were elected, while
594-422: A survey conducted by TNS, more than 60 percent of business and opinion leaders in Hong Kong want Beijing to promise to take steps in 2016 to pave the way for universal suffrage and abolish functional constituencies; 43% of those surveyed believed the central government should make more concessions to ensure the passage of the package, while one-quarter say the pan-democratic camp should offer concessions. However, on
660-521: A two-thirds majority of all the members of the Legislative Council and the consent of the Chief executive High Court District Court Magistrates' Court Special courts and tribunals: Chief Executive Elections Legislative elections District council elections Consular missions in Hong Kong Hong Kong–China relations Hong Kong–Taiwan relations The NPCSC decision became
726-479: Is more important than my being Legco president. My post can be temporarily taken by someone else." Whilst believing the reform package represents a step forward in democratisation, the Liberal Party expressed disappointment that the package did not address the need to expand the electorate base of functional constituencies. James Tien said that in failing to offer concrete proposals on functional constituencies,
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#1732876214580792-692: Is needed. Significantly, the Democratic Party opted to engage with Beijing to negotiate, parting company with the Civic Party and the LSD. In January 2010, five legislators from the Civic Party and the LSD resigned their seats as part of the 'Five Constituencies Resignation' concept for meaningful political reform; Albert Chan , Alan Leong , Tanya Chan , "Longhair" Leung Kwok-hung and Wong Yuk-man resigned from LegCo. Their resignations were submitted on 26 January 2010, with effect on 29 January 2010. Beijing warned
858-549: Is that Hong Kong will get exactly what Beijing wants it to have, which is exactly zilch. Asia Times , 11 January 2008 The bills on the amendments to the method for selecting the Chief executive and the proposed amendments to such bills shall be introduced by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to the Legislative Council; such amendments must be made with the endorsement of
924-587: The 2008 Legislative Council election as the Liberal Party's popularity declined, and was replaced by Wong Sing-chi. Leung Kwok-hung of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) rose to the top of the poll among the pro-democrats and Emily Lau dropped to the last. Lau decided to merge the Frontier into the Democratic Party after the party and became its vice chairwoman. In 2010 Leung Kwok-hung resigned from his office to trigger
990-468: The 2016 Legislative Council election , nine members of the Legislative Council using the Hare quota of party-list proportional representation with 1,139,616 electorates in 2020. The single-constituency single-vote system was replaced by the party-list proportional representation system for the first SAR Legislative Council election designed by Beijing to reward the weaker pro-Beijing candidates and dilute
1056-514: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 21 of the Bill of Rights. They urged the government to put forward a revised consultation document with more progressive proposals, a clear road map on the way forward, and a commitment to abolish functional constituencies. Law Society observed that structure of the proposals places a very heavy burden on the chief executive in
1122-572: The city's legislature in 2012, in line with the December 2007 decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC). While the pan-democracy camp attacked the conservative proposals as a rehash of those already rejected in 2005, the government said its proposals were "more democratic", and could not exceed what was authorised by Beijing. The consultations took place in
1188-407: The faux-consultation on a package which was little different from the undemocratic proposal voted down in 2005, in that it lacked direction, and road map for universal suffrage. "Even if we reject it, it will not affect the introduction of universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020," he said. DAB chairman, Tam Yiu-chung , said that while the proposals could be improved upon, his party supported enlarging
1254-504: The largest remainder method under the Hare Quota . Between 1998 and 2016 , 5 geographical constituencies were established returned by proportional representation with 3-9 seats each: In 2010, the Government's motion for amending Annex II of the Basic Law was passed. As a result, 5 new seats were added to Geographical Constituencies, making a total of 35. The following table summarises
1320-869: The proportional representative electoral system was introduced in 1998, replacing the single-member constituencies of the 1995 election . Elected candidates are shown in bold . Brackets indicate the quota + remainder. Vote share Vote share Vote share Vote share Vote share Vote share Geographical constituencies District Court Magistrates' Court Special courts and tribunals: Chief Executive Elections Legislative elections District council elections Consular missions in Hong Kong Hong Kong–China relations Hong Kong–Taiwan relations In Hong Kong , geographical constituencies , as opposed to functional constituencies , are elected by all eligible voters according to geographically demarcated constituencies . There are currently 5 geographical constituencies in Hong Kong, returning 35 members to
1386-430: The 'mainstream transitional proposal' drawn up with the support of 21 legislators in accordance with principles of equal and universal suffrage and which they said reflected public opinion. They proposed that 400 elected district councillors would join the existing 800-member Election Committee , making a total of 1,200-members; Nominations threshold would be set at 50 EC members, and the candidate for CE would be elected in
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#17328762145801452-475: The Alliance said "Pan-democrats would be reluctant to take the political risk to back the proposal for the 2012 elections before Beijing makes a statement on the electoral arrangements beyond 2016." Civic Party lawmaker Audrey Eu said her party will not support the "regressive and unacceptable" reform package, that increases the number of functional constituency seats. She said the current proposals, still lacking
1518-533: The Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) Lau Kong-wah whose Civil Force (CF) had a strong presence in Sha Tin District , also won a seat. The last seat was taken by former Legislative Council President Andrew Wong , beating pro-business Liberal Party chairman Allen Lee . In the 2000 Legislative Council election , Cyd Ho switched to Hong Kong Island . Her vacancy was taken up by Democrat Wong Sing-chi who led
1584-650: The Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012 , a document published on 18 November 2009 by the Government of Hong Kong to broaden the scope of political participation and increase the democratic elements in the 2012 elections in line with the Hong Kong Basic Law . The proposals included modifying the arrangements for electing the Chief executive of Hong Kong and the composition and ways of electing
1650-492: The Chief executive "hedged in with so many ifs and buts that there is no guarantee of Hong Kong getting anything at all... " However, the level of interest in, and the knowledge of, the proposals was low: A poll conducted by the University of Hong Kong on 18 November of 1,001 people found 68 per cent knew 'little' of what the consultation was all about; a similar survey three months later remained at 70 per cent. The pollster said
1716-493: The Democratic Party each won a seat. The DAB retained their two seats by splitting their ticket into two, each led by Chan Hak-kan and Elizabeth Quat . Fernando Cheung of the Labour Party and James Tien of the Liberal Party also returned to the Legislative Council through New Territories East. Over the debate on the 2016/2017 constitutional reform proposal , Civic Party moderate Ronny Tong resigned over his difference with
1782-580: The Election Committee to 1,200, and creating five district council functional constituency seats in 2012. He proposed to then open up the six district council functional constituency seats for all members of the public, not just district councillors, to contest. In late April, LegCo president Jasper Tsang increased pressure on pan-democrats, whilst triggering controversy when he indicated his willingness to resign his post to vote for reform proposals. He said "Government officials probably also agree my vote
1848-524: The Legislative Council. Following the 2021 electoral reforms passed by the Standing Committee of the mainland National People's Congress , the number of members returned by geographical constituencies would be lowered to 20, while the total number of seats in the Legislative Council would be increased to 90. Geographical constituencies (GC) were first introduced in Hong Kong's first legislative election with direct elections in 1991 . 18 constituencies, each returning 2 members using plurality block voting
1914-588: The NPCSC to determine the methods for selecting the CE and for forming the LegCo in 2012; how the two electoral methods should be amended for attaining universal suffrage is outside of its scope. It said that "there is still ample room for making amendments to the electoral method to enhance its democratic elements" in 2012, and proposed the following for LegCo elections: For Chief executive elections, it proposes: The Asia Times remarked that both proposals for LegCo and for
1980-562: The National People's Congress in its amendment to Annex 2 of the Basic Law on 30 March 2021. The proportional representation system used between 1998 and 2016 was scrapped. The reduction of the number of members returned by geographic constituencies has been described as "significantly curbing democratic representation in Hong Kong's institutions". These changes have been described as a shift in power away from Hong Kong's urban core and towards
2046-621: The Pan-democrats which ceased after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 . Following the Chinese Central Government's acceptance at the eleventh hour of a proposal by the Democratic Party concerning the new District Council functional constituency seats which they had up to that point opposed as being in contravention of the Basic Law, the consultation package was accepted by LegCo on 25 June, with 46 votes. The pan-democrat camp
New Territories East (1998 constituency) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2112-418: The abolition of functional constituencies before they would accept an increase in the government's proposal. In May, Pan-democrat groups reported having been in contact with mainland officials for several months to discuss ideas for reform; they quote officials as saying that a statement on electoral reform beyond 2012 will be made, conditional upon LegCo's approval of the current package. However, one member of
2178-624: The backbone of the document published by the government on 18 November 2009, entitled the " Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief executive and for Forming the LegCo in 2012 ". The government said proposals broadened the scope of political participation and increase substantially the democratic elements in the 2012 elections. The consultation ended three months later with 47,200 written submissions being received. The government notes that, despite calls from some quarters to discuss universal suffrage models, it has only been authorised by
2244-493: The backdrop of talks about a de facto referendum, and the 2010 Hong Kong by-election precipitated by the resignation of five pan-democrat legislators in January 2010. Official attempts to secure the passage of the proposals resulted in a media campaign by the city's leaders and an unprecedented televised debate between the Chief executive and a leader of an opposition party; it also resulted in renewing of dialogue between Beijing and
2310-472: The changes to the electoral system of Geographical Constituencies since 1991: The following table charts the evolution of districting of geographical constituencies of the LegCo: 20 seats of the Legislative Council are returned by geographical constituencies (GC) through single non-transferable vote with a district magnitude of 2 ("binomial system"). The binomial system was instituted by the Standing Committee of
2376-431: The electoral strength of the majority pro-democrats . Five seats were allocated to New Territories East, where popular democrat legislator Emily Lau of The Frontier topped the poll by winning more than 30 per cent of the popular vote with Cyd Ho also being elected. Although relatively weak in the region, the pro-democracy Democratic Party 's Andrew Cheng also won a seat, while the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for
2442-458: The five legislator not to resign. Chief executive Donald Tsang said the "so-called referendum" had no legal grounding. The resignations precipitated a by-election throughout the territory which takes place on 16 May 2010. In a surprise move, the government unveiled the revised package before they were scheduled. Key proposals, such as increasing the Election Committee for the chief executive election from 800 members to 1,200 in 2012 and increasing
2508-533: The fourth candidate Wong Sing-chi was ousted. The DAB ticket also won two seats with Li Kwok-ying of the rural background also won a new seat. James Tien of the Liberal Party who was at the peak of his popularity from his opposition to the Basic Law Article 23 legislation contested in the constituency for the first time, while socialist activist "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung won the last seat, unexpectedly ousting Andrew Wong. James Tien lost his re-election in
2574-528: The government was "not scratching where it itches". He suggested that under a model where functional constituencies would be retained, voters should be able choose a functional constituency in which to cast a second vote. He said that people would enjoy equal voting rights compatible with the principle of universal suffrage; expert views and sectoral interests would still be represented in a legislature otherwise dominated by career politicians. Independent legislator and former security minister Regina Ip criticised
2640-432: The increasing societal conflict and widening wealth gap . LSD chairman Andrew To understood that Donald Tsang does not have the power to initiate democratic reform. He said the package was 'old wine in a new bottle', written to give the illusion of reform, while allowing Hong Kong's vested interests to maintain their political power. He lamented the relegation of real reform off into the vague future. To warned Tsang and
2706-410: The necessary expertise in scrutinising bills and policies. But was open to discuss ways to broaden their voter base, such as 'one-person, two-votes'. They hope to see alignment of chief executive with a political party to facilitate governance, and the CE able to appoint legislators from like-minded groups as principal officials to further cement the link between the administration and the legislature. In
New Territories East (1998 constituency) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2772-415: The number of Legislative Council members from 60 to 70, remained unchanged. It was proposed that the five additional Legco seats for the district council constituency would be elected by proportional representation instead of block voting as suggested by pan-democrats. Announcing the plan, Chief Secretary Henry Tang said the government tried to find the "maximum latitude to enhance the democratic elements of
2838-579: The number of the seats in New Territories East from seven to nine. In the 2012 Legislative Council election , the Democrats put forward an offensive strategy by fielding three tickets hoping to retain their current three seats. However with the radical democrats' ferocious attacks on their compromised position on the electoral reform, the Democrats retained only Emily Lau's seat while People Power 's Raymond Chan and Neo Democrats ' Gary Fan who quit
2904-462: The outer, less densely populated regions closer to mainland China, where pro-Beijing candidates tend to fare better. 10 geographical constituencies were established for the 2021 election : 2010 Hong Kong electoral reform The 2010 Hong Kong electoral reform was the series of events began in 2009 and finalised in 2010 under the Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting
2970-512: The party and triggered a February 2016 by-election . Although Civic Alvin Yeung defeated DAB's Holden Chow , Edward Leung of the pro-independence Hong Kong Indigenous (HKI) received a better-than-expected results which boosted the localist camp morale. Edward Leung was later on barred from running in the September 2016 general election an instead supported Youngspiration 's Baggio Leung who
3036-424: The possible veto, 43% of the respondents would favour a veto if there was no roadmap for universal suffrage, compared with 39 per cent who disagreed. A pro-Beijing legislator for Kowloon East said the majority of Hong Kong people considered the proposal inadequate and hoped Beijing would make more concessions. Joseph Wong , former secretary for civil service, suggested the government could go further in broadening
3102-454: The precipitation of the by-election. She urged the public to refocus on the two methods for selecting the chief executive and electing the legislature in 2012, to forge a consensus on how to move forward in 2012, and lay the foundation for universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020. The Law Society and Bar Association reiterated their call for the abolition of functional constituencies as being non-compliant with international law – Article 25(b) of
3168-462: The pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU). However, Fan was later unseated by the court in December 2019, as the court viewed pro-independence candidate Ventus Lau 's disqualification in the by-election was unlawful. Below are all the members returned for the New Territories East constituency since its creation. The number of seats increased from five to nine between 1998 and 2016. The largest remainder method (with Hare quota ) of
3234-418: The pro-Beijing camp not to twist the definition of universal suffrage against the people's interests, and rejected the pro-Beijing camp's assertions that functional constituencies were compatible with the concept of full universal suffrage. Anson Chan dismissed the latest package as "retrograde": increasing functional constituencies further entrenched narrow vested interests. She called on the government give
3300-455: The proposals; their 18 legislators intimated their preparedness to vote down the package if no further progress is made on democracy. The Democratic Party condemned the consultation document for failing to bring in dual universal suffrage (for LegCo and for the chief executive elections) by 2012, and again demanded the functional constituencies, which were untouched by the proposal, to be abolished for good. The "One person, two votes" concept
3366-442: The public supported the implementation of universal suffrage for the CE and the LegCo ('dual universal suffrage') in 2012, and at the same time, implementing universal suffrage for the CE first by no later than 2017 would stand a better chance of being accepted by the majority in our community." On 29 December 2007, the NPCSC resolved that: the election of the fifth Chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in
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#17328762145803432-541: The resignation plan by five legislators, without sufficient focus on the details of the reforms, shifted attention away from the plan. Albert Ho said the end game needed to be in the sights, because 2012 was only a transition. He dismissed the proposal as "meaningless" because it failed to address the pan-democrats' real concerns. On a three-day trip to Beijing in late December, Donald Tsang was asked by Chinese Communist Party general secretary Hu Jintao to handle Hong Kong's constitutional reforms 'in an appropriate manner'. He
3498-451: The right to vote rather than to stand and nominate others in an election, and paved the way for keeping functional constituencies indefinitely. Constitutional Affairs minister Stephen Lam insists the reform proposal is more democratic than the 2005 package which was voted down by the Legislative Council, and was more likely to advance the city's political system if approved. He said that the timetable of universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020
3564-504: The specific method for selecting the fourth Chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the year 2012 and the specific method for forming the fifth term Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the year 2012 in accordance with the provisions of Articles 45 and 68, and those of Article 7 of Annex I and Article III of Annex II to the Basic Law The decision stipulated that: The only certainty
3630-692: The three years 2017 to 2020 when major changes were required, and expressed concern that it may thus breach the requirement of the principle of 'gradual and orderly progress' enshrined in Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law. The Bar Association said that corporate or directors' voting was also incompatible with international law; they said the failure to comply is not mitigated by replacing corporate voting by an authorised representative with voting by directors, executives, member associations, individual members. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce supported maintaining functional constituencies, to provide Legco with
3696-562: The two elections in 2012." He urged legislators to accept this 'golden opportunity' because there was no room for further concessions. The proposals will be put before Legco on 23 June, before the summer recess. Qiao Xiaoyang , head of the NPC's Hong Kong Basic Law committee, said the reason the Standing Committee ruled that Hong Kong "may" and not "must" have universal suffrage for the 2017 chief executive and 2020 Legislative Council elections
3762-493: The universal suffrage timetable. Li said: "It is impossible for a winner to take all on the issue of constitutional development. There can only be win-win. If one wants to win alone, the result may be lose-lose." After the government unveiled the procedures for the LegCo vote, deputy secretary general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Qiao Xiaoyang, defined 'universal suffrage' as: Pan-democrats said Qiao's statement reinforced their concerns, as it offered only
3828-406: The year 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage; that after the Chief executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage... Appropriate amendments conforming to the principle of gradual and orderly progress may be made to
3894-485: Was also brought up. However, the Democratic Party stopped short of refusing the proposal outright, and expressed the view that if there is no universal suffrage in 2012, the proposal must state that there will be 'real' universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020. The Democratic Party opting for engagement with Beijing, having assessed was that Beijing was keen to see a breakthrough in the reform talks because it realised that chief executive Donald Tsang's administration would become
3960-460: Was because any change in electoral methods required approval by local lawmakers. He added that passage of the reform package would "create excellent conditions for universal suffrage in the future." At a seminar organised by a coalition of Beijing-friendly groups, deputy director of the central government's liaison office , Li Gang said that lawmakers should act bravely and responsibly to reach consensus, and create favourable conditions for realising
4026-556: Was created for the 1991 election . Under Chris Patten's electoral reform , single-member constituencies were introduced for geographical constituencies in the 1995 election . After the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, the Provisional Legislative Council enacted the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap. 542) which stipulated the use of party-list proportional representation with seats apportioned by
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#17328762145804092-482: Was elected. While Lam Cheuk-ting succeeded Emily Lau who was retiring, New People's Party 's Eunice Yung who was supported by Civil Force ousted Gary Fan. Baggio Leung was soon disqualified from the office due to his oath-taking controversy , followed by Leung Kwok-hung who was also disqualified for his oath-taking manner. A by-election was held in March 2018, where Gary Fan made a comeback by defeating Tang Ka-piu of
4158-440: Was not an ideal, but asserted that it was "a practical one that is accepted by over 60 percent of residents." Chief Secretary Henry Tang said the government would consider scrapping appointed district councillors if sufficient opposition lawmakers promise to support the 2012 political reform package. Speaking at a seminar, Tang warned pan-democrats that being "led by the nose by a small group of loud people, one will only step onto
4224-461: Was published on 11 July to open discussion on the options, roadmap and timetable for implementing universal suffrage for the CE and the LegCo. According to the consultation document, the CE submitted a report to the NPCSC on 12 December 2007, that "reflect[ed] faithfully the views of different sectors of the community on the issue of universal suffrage received during the public consultation period." The government document asserted that "more than half of
4290-465: Was split when the Democratic Party voted with the government amidst severe recriminations and protests of betrayal; the League of Social Democrats and the Civic Party remained opposed to the package but were unable to block the passage. The Chief executive assented on 29 June 2010, and China's parliament ratified the decision on 28 August. In March 2007, the pan-democrats published their own blueprint,
4356-461: Was told by Premier Wen Jiabao that Hong Kong 'should start to study major macro-issues relating to holistic developments and plan for the future. It should better resolve some deep-rooted conflicts in Hong Kong, make good uses of Hong Kong's advantages, sharpen Hong Kong's competitiveness and pay more attention to social services and people's livelihood.' Pan-democrats all agreed that the proposals do not go far enough, but were divided on what action
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