Vote system disputes for courts, says legislator
Discrepancies in the way the voting system in Legco is interpreted should be left to the courts, legislator-elect Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee said yesterday.
The Executive Council is expected to discuss the voting mechanism today at a meeting which will address unfinished business from Tuesday.
The Basic Law states the bills introduced by the Government require at least a simple majority of lawmakers present.
A group of legislators-elect believe the provision implies members who abstain and the president should be counted as present.
This differs from the pre-handover arrangement where a bill could be passed simply if the number of votes in favour was more than those against. It also means more votes would be needed for a bill to pass.
A motion on the rules of procedure including the voting mechanism will be moved at the first Legco meeting next Thursday.
Ms Ng said the rules did not need Executive Council approval. 'They are free to listen to legal advice. But if they challenge our rules of procedure, the final decision would rest with the court.'
