6 | FOCUSHK Friday, August 13, 2021 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY Selection starts for new panel In Hong Kong’s first major election under the improved electoral system, 1,016 candidates are vying for 982 seats on the expanded Election Committee, whose 1,500 members will nominate lawmaker candidates and elect 40 legislators among themselves, in addition to the long-standing task of nominating and choosing the city’s chief executive. Gang Wen breaks down the reshaped body.

Responsibilities of the Election Committee • Nominates candidates for the chief executive • Nominates legislative candidates • Elects the chief executive • Elects 40 legislative councilors among its members Who are the voters? Nomination period: Aug 6-12 Polling day: Sept 19 There are individual voters and corporate The term: 5 years (Oct 22, 2021 – Oct 21, 2026) voters. Both must register as Election Com- mittee Subsector Voters. Candidate Eligibility Individual voters will choose committee members for four subsectors, including the Members Chairperson: Review Committee the chief secretary for administration, John Lee Ka-chiu Heung Yee Kuk, and representatives of Hong O cial members Kong members of eligible national organiza- It assesses and validates the eligibility of 1. the secretary for constitutional and mainland a airs, Kwok-wai candidates for the Election Committee, chief 2. the secretary for home a airs, Ying-wai tions; corporate voters will pick members for executive and the Legislative Council. 3. the , Chris Tang Ping-keung the other subsectors. Its review decisions made on the advice of the Non-o cial members 1. Elsie Leung Oi-sie Election SAR government’s national security committee will Chairperson O cial members Non-o cial members 2. Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai not be subject to judicial proceedings. 3. Lawrence Lau Juen-yee seats by voter type Corporate 689 Individual Election Committee: 1,500 members 293 Three methods for determining members

Nomination Ex o cio Election Nominated by eligible bodies of 110 specifi c subsectors 156 362 982 Representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organizations

60 190 240 religious HKSAR subsector deputies to the National People’s Congress, 69 and HKSAR Professionals members in inno-tech; of the accountancy; Chinese law; TCM; and People’s the subsector Political of sports, Consul- performing tative arts, culture Conference and publication National Committee

the subsector of 27 representatives of associations of Hong Kong Hong Kong members of the Committee for the Basic residents in the Law of the HKSAR under the NPC Standing Committee; mainland vice-chancellors or presidents of universities or chairpersons of the board of governors or the council of universities; and those in charge of certain statutory bodies, important advisory committees, and relevant organizations in specifi c subsectors 82

149 300

90 LegCo members 183

First Sector Second Sector Third Sector Fourth Sector Fifth Sector 300 300 300 300 300

Industrial, commercial The professions Grassroots, labor, religious, and other Legislators, representatives of district HKSAR deputies to the NPC, HKSAR and fi nancial sectors sectors organizations and other organizations members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organizations Nomination forms received for committee election Oath-taking requirement 226 18 Number of subsectors Aug 6 • The registration form submitted by an ex o“ cio Conveners 25 member, a nominee, or an election candidate is not 190 Aug 7 valid unless it contains a declaration to uphold the 4 Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the HKSAR of the 1. Under Annex I of the Basic Law, the Election Committee shall establish a system of con- People’s Republic of China. Aug 9 434 10 veners, who will be responsible for convening 6 • After the name of a member-elect is included in an Election Committee meetings when neces- Election Committee interim register, the member- sary to handle relevant matters. Aug 10 63 elect must sign an Election Committee oath to uphold 3 Candidates, to be 2. A member of the Election Committee who is 5 5 the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the HKSAR of selected by election a State leader will become the chief convener. 80 the People’s Republic of China. Aug 11 2 The chief convener may designate several 1 Designated bodies, for • Breaches of the Election Committee oath will trigger a conveners in each sector. mechanism designed for the situation. Aug 12 23 selection via follow-up First Second Third Fourth Fifth 1 nomination Sector Sector Sector Sector Sector Source: HKSAR government