Law expert submits idea to revamp functional constituencies
A radical plan for functional constituency elections - intended to make them consistent with the values of a modern, civil society - has been proposed by a legal expert at the University of Hong Kong.
Simon Young, a specialist in Hong Kong's election system, argued that small-scale polls should be scrapped and replaced by five large constituencies. The electorate should be expanded to between 60 and 80 per cent of that for the geographical polls, Professor Young adds.
'It is high time the basic design of the functional constituencies be reconceived on a principled basis in the light of the present day circumstances of Hong Kong,' the associate professor said in his report. He made his proposals in the constitutional reform consultation, which ends tomorrow. Shortly after his submission, he was invited to a meeting with Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung. Professor Young said: 'He really tried to listen and to discuss and to engage. It was clear that my proposals had been discussed internally.'
He said Mr Lam asked if his proposals amounted to a form of universal suffrage. Mr Lam also asked whether they could be distinguished from controversial reforms made by former governor Chris Patten, but rolled back after the handover.
Professor Young said his reforms would substantially widen the potential electorate, but universal suffrage should not be defined only in terms of the number of people eligible to vote. He said his proposals were very different from Mr Patten's. 'My proposals are more rational, coherent and amount to a complete transformation,' he said. His submission argued that the system should represent all 'functional sectors' of Hong Kong society. It should be fair, inclusive and promote openness.
He proposed scrapping the system in which small constituencies produce legislators representing the narrow interests of their sector. Instead, there should be only five constituencies, each returning multiple candidates. He suggested the following sectors: commercial and industrial, financial, professionals, skilled labourers, and non-profit.