Corporate power: Hong Kong catering functional constituency gives undue weight to four big groups
The government and the current Legco catering representative back the system, but critics say it allows conglomerates to control the poll
A much criticised yet important component of Hong Kong’s pick-and-mix electoral system has come under renewed attack after details emerged which critics say confirm a long-held suspicion it favours big business.
A study of the electoral register for the catering functional constituency – one of the city’s 28 traditional functional constituencies – has revealed that around one in 10 corporate voters have links to four major conglomerates in the SAR.
The information has fuelled criticism of the trade-based component of the electoral system, which was set up by the British colonial authorities 30 years ago and allows companies and professional bodies to register as voters.
Out of the 70 seats in the Legislative Council, 30 will be returned through traditional functional constituencies from a voter base of 239,195 this year..
Apart from electing lawmakers, the trade-based system is also used for returning members of the election committee, which selects the chief executive.