Mapped out: Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Pang Kin-kee (right) shows the delineation of proposed geographical constituencies for the 2008 Legislative Council Election.

The Electoral Affairs Commission today launched a public consultation on its provisional recommendations on the delineation of geographical constituencies for the 2008 Legislative Council election.

It recommends retaining the boundaries and names of the five existing geographical constituencies. They will have 30 seats. It proposes to allocate six seats for Hong Kong Island, five for Kowloon West, four for Kowloon East, eight for New Territories West and seven for New Territories East.

Compared with the distribution of seats for the 2004 election, Kowloon West will have one more seat and Kowloon East will have one less, due to a change in population figures. The number of seats for the other three constituencies remains the same.

Commission Chairman Justice Pang Kin-kee said a number of other options were considered and political factors had no bearing on the plan.

People can send written representations by mail, fax (2511 1682) or email (eacenq@reo.gov.hk) to the commission secretariat at 10/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai by August 3. Late representations will not be considered.

The commission will hold a public forum in its conference room at 2.30pm July 26 to listen to people's views.

Details of the recommendations can be downloaded from the commission's website. For enquiries call 2827 1269.