2006 Election Committee Subsector Elections

Public Consultation on the Proposed Guidelines on Election-related
Activities in respect of the Election Committee Subsector Elections

The Election Committee (ˇ§ECˇ¨) Subsector Elections will be held in December 2006. The Electoral Affairs Commission (ˇ§EACˇ¨) is empowered under section 6(1) of the EAC Ordinance (Chapter 541 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to issue guidelines to facilitate the conduct or supervision of an election. The aim of these guidelines is to provide a code of conduct based on the principles of fairness and equality for conducting election-related activities and some directions in layman's language on how to comply with the relevant electoral legislation, so that candidates and relevant parties concerned can avoid breaching them inadvertently.

The EAC has at all times used its best endeavours in refining and improving the electoral arrangements for public elections. We have now drawn up a set of proposed guidelines for the conduct of the EC Subsector Elections to be held in December 2006 and for all EC Subsector elections to be held afterwards. The proposed guidelines are modelled on those used for the EC Subsector By-elections held in 2005, with suitable alterations to reflect the latest amendments made to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Chapter 569 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and to align the electoral arrangements for the EC Subsector Elections, where appropriate, with those for the Legislative Council and District Council elections. In drawing up the proposed guidelines, we have taken into account the operational experience of previous elections, as well as suggestions and complaints received from the public and other parties concerned. The major changes proposed as compared against the guidelines issued in 2005 are set out in the Appendix.

Before finalising the guidelines for issue to the public, we shall, in accordance with section 6(2) of the EAC Ordinance, consult the public on the proposed guidelines for a period of 31 days starting from 15 July to 14 August 2006, both dates inclusive. The guidelines may need to be revised in the light of responses to this consultation exercise. During the public consultation period, members of the public can obtain copies of the proposed guidelines during office hours at:

Besides, the proposed guidelines can be downloaded from here.

Please send your written representations on the proposed guidelines to the EAC Secretariat by post, fax or e-mail on or before 14 August 2006:

Late representations will not be considered. Please indicate clearly in your response if you wish your views or identity to remain confidential. You may also make representations to us orally at a public forum to be held on 3 August 2006 at 2:30 pm at the EAC Conference Room, 10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Reservation may be made over the telephone at 2827 1269.

The EAC is committed to making every endeavour to ensure that all public elections are held in an open, fair and honest manner. No doubt those who have opposing views and suggestions will make representations to us. However, it is equally important that supporting views should also be made known to us, for otherwise it may be said that no one supports or agrees with our proposed guidelines.

For enquiries, please call 2891 1001.

Electoral Affairs Commission
15 July 2006