Latest news with #Legco
RTHK
an hour ago
- Politics
- RTHK
'E-counting system to be used for Legco election'
'E-counting system to be used for Legco election' Erick Tsang said the e-counting system will be deployed to enhance efficiency. Photo: RTHK An electronic counting system will be used for functional constituency ballots in the upcoming Legislative Council general election, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said. This came as the Registration and Electoral Office revealed that the budget for the election, to be held on December 7, would be HK$1.2 billion. Another HK$200 million would be needed for the Election Committee subsector by-elections on September 7. Speaking at a meeting of the Legco constitutional affairs panel on Monday, Tsang said the government attaches great importance to the two elections. The government will adopt optimising measures, including the implementation of an e-counting system for the Legco election's functional constituency ballots to boost efficiency, he said. Procurement of the system has been completed, he added, and testing work is under way. 'As this is a new system, to ensure the vote counting process will not encounter any error or impedance, we will formulate different backup plans," Tsang said. "Besides the main counting system, we have a backup system. If the main system fails, we will activate the backup system immediately. Only when both systems fail will we fall back on manual counting. 'Frankly speaking, the probability of both systems encountering a failure is very low, but still, it can happen, so we will still make a backup plan.' Tsang also said the government hopes to increase voter turnout through promotional work. But he said it would be 'unrealistic' to set a target for the voting rate.
RTHK
3 days ago
- Automotive
- RTHK
Lawmakers suggest tweaks to ride-hailing plan
Lawmakers suggest tweaks to ride-hailing plan A Legco panel heard that taxi drivers are concerned about their rivals undercutting them by providing customers with steep discounts. File photo: RTHK A majority of lawmakers at a Legco transport panel meeting on Friday backed the government's plan to license ride-hailing operators, although some called for changes. The government wants to introduce a licensing system for ride-hailing platforms, their drivers and the vehicles used. Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick said taxi drivers are concerned about their rivals undercutting them by providing customers with steep discounts. "Taxi regulations prohibit fare-cutting to attract customers, so discounts like 20 percent off are actually illegal. However, if platforms can offer cheaper services, it explains why the taxi industry is so agitated," he said. "Some platforms charge HK$20 for a ride that should cost HK$80, leaving taxi drivers feeling helpless." Gary Zhang said the proposed age limit for vehicles is too lenient. "In other cities with ride-hailing regulations, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and London, the typical age limit is around three to five years. Our initial regulation of seven years could potentially allow vehicles to be on the road for over a decade, which I think is too lenient for Hong Kong's situation," he said. Chan Pui-leung, meanwhile, noted that while the government has proposed a limit on the number of vehicles that can be given a licence for ride-hailing services, it is not suggesting a limit on the number of drivers that can use them. He also expressed concern that some vehicle owners might secure a licence under the quota system but then not offer any services. Chan suggested a vehicle owner should lose their ride-hailing licence if they don't provide a minimum number of journeys. Transport Secretary Mable Chan said it is hoped the licensing requirements will eliminate market uncertainty and allow the taxi sector and ride-hailing services to coexist and develop smoothly. "The government's proposed framework for regulating online ride-hailing services puts the interests of citizens first. Our goal is to make citizens safer when travelling, with more choices and better point-to-point transportation services," she said.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong lawmakers urged to be impartial when reviewing same-sex partnership bill
A senior Hong Kong official has called on lawmakers to be 'pragmatic, rational and impartial' when scrutinising a bill aimed at granting certain legal rights to same-sex couples after most major political parties voiced opposition to the legislation. Advertisement Introducing the bill for its first and second readings in the legislature on Wednesday, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai stressed that the proposed framework was a 'reasonable balance' between fulfilling the basic societal needs of same-sex couples and preserving the heterosexual marriage system. 'The government understands that the bill is controversial,' he said in the Legislative Council. 'But to safeguard Hong Kong's rule of law, respect the court's ruling and fulfil our duties, the government introduced the bill with a spirit of accountability and courage. 'We hope lawmakers will be pragmatic, rational and impartial in scrutinising the bill.' Same-sex marriage is not permitted in Hong Kong. The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill is aimed at granting same-sex couples married abroad certain rights related to medical matters and after-death arrangements following a landmark ruling from the top court in 2023. Advertisement As of Wednesday, at least 35 members of the 89-strong Legco told the Post they would oppose the bill, including those from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Liberal Party.
RTHK
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
'Govt can't go against court on same-sex recognition'
'Govt can't go against court on same-sex recognition' Chief Executive John Lee says the government will assist lawmakers in scrutinising a bill on a framework to recognise same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong. File photo: RTHK The government is obliged to draw up an official framework to legally recognise same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong following a landmark ruling by the top court, Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday. But he added, ahead of the Executive Council meeting, that authorities would respect the final decision of the legislature on whether to approve or reject the bill on the legal framework. The administration has proposed that same-sex couples be allowed to register under a mechanism to recognise their unions in response to the decision of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), which has been met with strong opposition from lawmakers. "The CFA's ruling has the force of law, and it's legally binding on the government," Lee said. "The government must not act in violation of the court's ruling. Otherwise, it'll be against the rule of law. "The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's economy, investor confidence and its long-established success. Violating the rule of law will mean serious consequences." A lawful union in Hong Kong is between a man and woman, Lee said, adding that the court's ruling affirmed that the right to marriage protected under the Basic Law is limited to heterosexual marriages. Lee also noted that the Legislative Council is responsible for scrutinising, amending and voting to pass or reject bills introduced by the authorities. "The government will make every effort to facilitate Legco's scrutiny of the bill introduced by [the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau], assist Legco in completing the scrutiny expeditiously, and respect Legco's final decision," he said.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
New conduct rules for Hong Kong legislators need further clarity
The operation of the revamped Legislative Council continues to draw concerns for valid reasons. While it might now be free of national security threats, political opposition and theatrics, the performance of individual lawmakers and the body as a whole still has much room for improvement. Well aware of these inadequacies and public expectations, the legislature has proposed a new code of conduct and operation for members, and rightly so. Under the new rules, which are expected to be passed and enforced in the new Legco term beginning early next year, members will be required to submit an annual work report for public review within two months after the end of each year. The council will also have a wider scope to investigate alleged misconduct of members based on evidence and complaints from named parties through an upgraded supervisory committee, with sanctions such as warnings, pay cuts and suspension of duties. The proposals are generally a step in the right direction, while some details may require further clarification. For instance, it remains unclear what constitutes minor, serious and gross misconduct under the framework. Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen said it would be based on investigation and evidence, adding that there would be no impact on those who sincerely work for the city and residents. While exhausting all the dos and don'ts for lawmakers may seem unrealistic, it would be helpful if there were clearer benchmarks when ascertaining the severity of misconduct and the relevant punishments. There are also concerns that some members may shy away from criticising the government, as the code states that they should 'sincerely support' the chief executive and the government; not 'intentionally vilify the governance credibility' of the chief executive and the government, nor 'deliberately undermine or weaken the effectiveness of executive-led governance'. There are already concerns that an all-patriots legislature may not be able to maintain effective checks and balances while working with the executive branch under the Basic Law. That probably explains why many lawmakers are not known for being outspoken or critical towards the administration. Whether the code will stifle opposing views shall be closely watched. That it has taken so long for Legco to take action to enhance its performance says something about the lawmakers. The district councils and civil service have already implemented reforms in light of the new constitutional order. As part of the governing establishment, lawmakers should uphold the highest standards and work towards the common interests of the country and Hong Kong.
