*********************************************************
The Particulars Relating to Candidates on Ballot Papers (Legislative Council) (Amendment) Regulation 2007, which will extend the arrangement of allowing candidates to have their particulars printed on ballot papers to cover District Council (DC) elections, was gazetted today (March 23). This arrangement has already been adopted in Legislative Council (LC) elections since 2004.
A spokesman for the Electoral Affairs Commission said the proposed amendment was aimed to facilitate identification of DC election candidates by electors.
Subject to the passage of the amendment regulation, DC election candidates, starting with the 2007 ordinary election, may request for the particulars already registered with the commission for LC elections to be printed on ballot papers for both LC and DC elections.
Under the Particulars Relating to Candidates on Ballot Papers (Legislative Council) Regulation, LC election candidates can apply to have the following particulars printed on ballot papers:
(a) names, abbreviations of names and emblems of the prescribed bodies;
(b) personal emblems and personal photographs of candidates; and
(c) the words "Independent Candidate" or "Non-affiliated Candidate".
The features of the proposed scheme for DC elections, such as the printing of registered particulars on ballot papers and the registration procedures, will be the same as those of the current scheme for LC elections.
The amendment regulation provides for a one-off extension of the application period so that registration application made between April 16 and June 18 will be processed within the 2007 registration cycle. This can ensure that registration procedures can be completed in time for the DC elections in late 2007.
The amendment regulation will be tabled in the Legislative Council on March 28, and if passed, is expected to take effect on May 18.
Ends/Friday, March 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 22:10
NNNN