DC appointments to be abolished in phases

September 14, 2011

The Government is considering abolishing the District Council appointment system in phases by going through a transitional period, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam announced today.
 
Speaking after a luncheon for District Council chairmen and vice-chairmen, Mr Lam said: “As a start, we tend to reduce by one-third the number of District Council appointed members in 2012, that is appointing only 68 members and not the full slate of 102. After the District Council election in November, we can embark on a further round of public discussion as to how the issue should be dealt with, including how long the transitional period should be and how the relevant legislative provisions should be dealt with. As the duration of the transitional period, after 2012, we can abolish the remaining 68 seats in one go in 2016, or in two lots by 2020. On this matter the Government has an open mind."
 
Mr Lam said the appointed members have contributed extensively to community development over the years, and to the work of the District Council, adding the appointed and elected members have worked together well.