Legco by-elections face abolition

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  1. #1

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    Legco by-elections face abolition

    The government is proposing to abolish by-elections in geographical constituencies - following controversy over the resignation of five pan-democracy councillors last year. They stepped down to force by-elections that they saw as a referendum on full democracy.

    But the government and its supporters criticised the move, calling it a massive waste of money. Now the administration says any legislator who dies, resigns or is disqualified should be replaced by the next-highest vote-getter in the last election -- who will probably not be from the same party.

    This arrangement would also apply to the five members returned from so-called super district council seats. However, by-elections would still be held to fill vacancies from traditional functional constituencies.
    RTHK Radio News

    Another step forward on the road to democracy...

  2. #2

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    That's just absurd. Are you sure that's not an April Fool that got stuck in the approval process somewhere?


  3. #3

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    Unfortunately not an April fool, but think what could happen if this policy was used in the Chief Executive election!


  4. #4

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    Orders from above.


  5. #5

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    Its in today's SCMP. A nail in the coffin of whatever democracy Hong Kong had.

    Do a Google search for "By-elections given a no-vote SCMP" and you should be able to get the article.


  6. #6

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    Bizarre indeed. But I can not imagine that this will work according to the government's plans. I rather picture the entire LSD to keep throwing Bananas at the DAB until their lawmakers start quitting....


  7. #7

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    The irony is that the change won't apply to functional constituencies...

    Hmm, wonder why.....


  8. #8

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    Perhaps they have a huge amount of background info on the 'democrats' so when they get elected they just start a smear campaign and force them all to resign resulting in the people who came 2nd (the 'non-democrats') getting into power?


  9. #9

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    Donald is doing himself no favours over a typical knee jerk reaction.
    I don't think it is orders from above but he is just being an absolute twat. What purpose does this serve? It's such a nonsensical idea in having someone that was rejected by the electorate to be "elected" by default.


  10. #10

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    Now the administration says any legislator who dies, resigns or is disqualified should be replaced by the next-highest vote-getter in the last election -- who will probably not be from the same party.
    Isn't this looking for trouble? Come second, and have the winner bumped off!

    Also the whole "if the winner is unable to fulfil his/her responsibilities then the first runner-up will be seated in his/her place and so on and so on..." gives Hong Kong 'democracy' the rules of a fucking beauty pageant!

    Will there be a public consultation on this?

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