kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CMAB and HYAB continue to brief association representatives on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
1.6.2023

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, met with representatives of the Hong Kong Island Federation to explain the proposals on improving governance at the district level today (June 1). Mr Tsang and Miss Mak mentioned that the proposals could institutionally prevent ineffectiveness of district administration, ensuring that the District Councils (DCs) will operate in compliance with provisions of the Basic Law to carry out their district service and advisory functions. This enables the Government to co-ordinate departments' work such that efficacy of district governance will be enhanced and the public will benefit. The two Directors of Bureaux said that members of the public supported and expected the five benefits brought by the proposals, namely: (1) enhance the functions of DCs to allow the Government to have more effective planning and implementation of district services, manifest executive-led governance and better serve the public; (2) optimise the composition of DCs and the methods of selection of DC members to allow persons with professional knowledge and experience, who are patriotic and have an affection for Hong Kong, to enter the DCs through multiple channels and serve the public; (3) introduce an eligibility review mechanism to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguard national security, and return the DCs to the livelihood-oriented positioning; (4) introduce a monitoring mechanism of DC members' performance to ensure that every DC member delivers due diligence and meets public expectations; and (5) strengthen the district governance structure to formulate and command appropriate measures in response to the demand of the public in an effective and timely manner. The District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for the First Reading and the Second Reading yesterday (May 31). The attendees welcomed the progress. The two Directors of Bureaux said that the Government will proactively facilitate the scrutiny of the LegCo and solicit support for the early passage of the Bill from Members of the LegCo, so as to begin the substantial preparation work for the upcoming DC Ordinary Election and so the seventh-term DCs can assume office on January 1 next year as scheduled.
CMAB and HYAB brief Hong Kong members of provincial committees of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
25.5.2023

The Government has commenced explanatory and publicity work for various sectors after the announcement of the proposals on improving governance at the district level on May 2. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (May 25) continued to explain the proposals to Hong Kong members of provincial committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak said at the briefing session that the majority of the public support the proposals on improving governance at the district level and endorse the three guiding principles of the proposals: national security must be put as the topmost priority and the "one country, two systems" principle must be fully and faithfully implemented to ensure the effective and sustained implementation of the systems prescribed by the Constitution and the Basic Law, including the district advisory bodies which are not organs of political power formed in accordance with Article 97 of the Basic Law; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must be fully implemented; and executive-led governance must be manifested. The Government is confident of having firm control of governance at the district level and grooming strong and abled service teams, so as to increase its capability to mobilise the community. The two Directors of Bureaux thanked members for attending the briefing session and for speaking overwhelmingly in support of the proposals and providing valuable advice. The two Directors of Bureaux also encouraged them to proactively brief various sectors of the community to continue garner understanding and support from different sectors of the community. The Government will introduce a Bill into the Legislative Council (LegCo) as soon as possible to implement the proposed reformation of the District Councils (DCs) in the proposals on improving governance at the district level. The Government targets to secure the LegCo's passage of the Bill before the summer recess of the LegCo so that the District Council Ordinary Election can be held at the end of this year and the seventh-term DCs can take office on January 1 next year.
CMAB and HYAB brief representatives of Heung Yee Kuk New Territories and associations of Chinese fellow townsmen on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
19.5.2023

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (May 19) explained the proposals on improving governance at the district level to representatives of Heung Yee Kuk New Territories (Heung Yee Kuk) and associations of Chinese fellow townsmen and had in-depth discussions and exchanges with them. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak stressed at the two briefing sessions today that the proposals on improving governance at the district level are guided by three principles: national security must be put as the topmost priority and the "one country, two systems" principle must be fully and faithfully implemented; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must be fully implemented; and "executive-led" governance must be manifested. The two Directors of Bureaux said that Heung Yee Kuk and associations of Chinese fellow townsmen have always been important partners of the Government. They act as a bridge of communication between the Government and the community. The 27 chairmen of the Rural Committees will still be ex-officio members of the District Councils (DCs) after the proposed reformation. The ratio of appointed members, members returned by the District Committees Constituency election and members returned by the District Council Geographical Constituency election in the DCs will be about 4:4:2. There will be multiple methods for the selection of DC members, so that persons who are patriotic and have an affection for Hong Kong and are dedicated to district services can participate in the work of DCs through multiple channels. Gauging opinions from various channels can enable the Government to look at problems through different lenses and facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies. The two Directors of Bureaux had a positive exchange of views with representatives of Heung Yee Kuk and associations of Chinese fellow townsmen and encouraged them to proactively brief residents of the New Territories and fellow townsmen so as to deepen public understanding of the proposals. In order to enhance public understanding of the proposals, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak will continue to introduce and promote the proposals in a multipronged manner to seek support from different sectors. They said they hope that the community will open up a new horizon after the reformed DCs assume office from January 1 next year.
CMAB and HYAB brief LegCo Members and association representatives on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
11.5.2023

After the Government's announcement of the proposals on improving governance at the district level on May 2, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, immediately commenced explanatory and publicity work for various sectors. The two Directors of Bureaux today (May 11) continued to explain the proposals to Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and association representatives and had in-depth discussions and exchanges with them. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak hosted two briefing sessions this afternoon and briefed LegCo Members and representatives of the Hong Kong Island Federation, the Kowloon Federation of Associations and the New Territories Association of Societies on the proposals. They said that the proposals are guided by three principles: national security must be put as the topmost priority and the "one country, two systems" principle must be fully and faithfully implemented; the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" must be fully implemented; and "executive-led" governance must be manifested. The two Directors of Bureaux pointed out that the proposals will strengthen the district governance structure, facilitating the co-ordination and collaboration of district work so that the Government can implement corresponding measures promptly. With District Officers being the District Council (DC) chairmen, there will be better co-ordination among DCs, "the three district committees" (Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees and District Fire Safety Committees) and Care Teams, so that they can complement each other to generate synergy, serving the people more effectively. They said that the proposals will restore DCs back to their positioning as district advisory and service organisations in accordance with Article 97 of the Basic Law. The Government is going full steam ahead to prepare the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 and hopes to submit it to the LegCo for scrutiny as soon as possible. The Government targets to secure the LegCo's passage of the Bill before its summer recess this year so that the DC Ordinary Election can be held at the end of this year and the seventh-term DCs can assume office on January 1 next year as scheduled. The attending LegCo Members and association representatives spoke enthusiastically and gave concrete views on strengthening the district governance structure. Mr Tsang and Miss Mak also encouraged association representatives to explain the proposals to their members and the public so as to deepen the public's understanding of the benefits brought by the proposals. They will continue to brief different sectors of the community on the guiding principles and advantages of the proposals through various means.
CMAB and HYAB brief LegCo Members on proposals to improve governance at district level (with photos)
10.5.2023

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (May 10) continued to explain the proposals on improving governance at the district level to G19 and C15+ Legislative Council (LegCo) Members, listen to their views and solicit their support. At the two briefing sessions today, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak explained the objectives and guiding principles of the proposals on improving governance at the district level. They emphasised that the new District Councils (DCs) will comprise members returned by four selection methods, namely appointed, District Committees Constituency, District Council Geographical Constituency and ex-officio members, enabling the DCs to widely recruit members with different expertise and district experiences who can reflect the overall interest of the community. With views collected by DC members from different channels, the Government can take a more comprehensive and holistic view of district affairs to formulate policies that suit the community needs. This is also conducive to enhancing the efficacy of district governance and achieving good governance. The two Directors of Bureaux pointed out that the reformed DCs will play a better role in complementing and supporting the administration of the Government, and serve as a bridge to convey messages: assist the Government to keep its finger on the pulse of the community so that the Government can have more effective planning of district services; help foster social cohesion and garner public support for the Government; and also provide various consultation and referral services to the residents in the district, so that district work can be done properly and benefit every citizen. Being very supportive of the proposals, the attending LegCo Members had active and constructive exchanges with the two Directors of Bureaux. The two Directors of Bureaux said that the Government targets to secure the LegCo's passage of the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 before the summer recess of the LegCo this year so that the DC Ordinary Election can be held at the end of this year and the seventh-term DCs can take office on January 1, 2024, as scheduled. Since the announcement of the proposals on improving governance at the district level, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak attended various radio and television programmes, briefing sessions and media interviews to brief the public, media, Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, different political parties and LegCo Members on the proposals. They will continue to brief different sectors of the community on the proposals in coming weeks. In addition, Government officials will also visit street booths in various districts to appeal to the public to support the proposals.
LCQ7: Arrangements for next District Council Ordinary Election
15.3.2023

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Tik Chi-yuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, in the Legislative Council today (March 15): Question: Regarding the arrangements for the next District Council (DC) Ordinary Election, will the Government inform this Council: (1) as the Chief Executive has indicated in the 2022 Policy Address that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will put forward suggestions in respect of the review on district administration, whether the Government will undertake that such suggestions and the relevant legislative amendments (if any) will be submitted to this Council in accordance with normal procedures, and that a two-month public consultation will be conducted; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that; (2) as it has been reported that the Government plans to hold the next DC Ordinary Election in November this year, whether the Government has assessed if there is sufficient time to conduct the consultation mentioned in (1); if it has assessed and the outcome is in the negative, of the arrangements to be made by the Government regarding the election and incumbent DC members whose terms of office will expire on December 31 this year; and (3) whether the Government will undertake that the next DC Ordinary Election will adopt the method for the formation of the sixth-term DCs? Reply: President, In consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), my reply is as follows. The HYAB and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau are conducting a review on district administration to ensure that future arrangements will be in conformity with the Basic Law, in adherence to the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", and conducive to enhancing governance efficacy at the district level. The review covers functions, composition, method of formation, electoral arrangements, etc, of the future district organisation which is not an organ of political power. The review is being actively undertaken, with details of the proposal are to be further ironed out and hence not yet ready for public announcement. The Government will strive to complete the review as soon as possible and announce the details at a suitable juncture. If legislative amendments are required to implement the proposal, the Government will submit them to the Legislative Council for scrutiny according to procedure.
Annual reciprocal visit between HKSARG and MFA to take place next week
10.5.2024

The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will lead a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to visit Beijing and Guizhou from May 12 to 17 under the annual reciprocal visit arrangement between the HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The visit arrangement has been in place since 1999 to enhance communication and exchange between the two sides. It had been suspended during 2020-22 due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and was relaunched last year. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, will lead the HKSAR Government delegation to visit Beijing from May 12 to 15, and the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Gracie Foo, will lead the HKSAR Government delegation to visit Guizhou from May 15 to 17. While in Beijing, the delegation will meet with officials of the MFA and other central ministries from May 12 to 15. The delegation will then visit Guizhou from May 15 to 17, where it will meet with officials of Guizhou and study developments in various areas of the province. Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 15. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, will be the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.
立法會六題：以公平公正方式舉行選舉
18.12.2019

以下是今日（十二月十八日）在立法會會議上葛珮帆議員的提問和政制及內地事務局局長聶德權的答覆： 問題： 區議會一般選舉已於上月二十四日舉行。選舉管理委員會接獲7 460宗相關投訴，當中約2 000宗涉及投票安排。有市民表示憂慮，明年舉行的立法會換屆選舉或會出現類似問題。關於確保選舉以公平公正方式舉行，政府可否告知本會： （一）鑑於有多名選民聲稱在上述區議會選舉投票日首次抵達投票站發票櫃枱時，獲告知選民登記冊內就他們姓名登記的資料已被劃上橫線（即顯示他們較早前曾獲發選票），因而只獲發不會被點算的「重複」選票，以致未能行使投票權，政府在選舉前有否採取措施防止此情況；如有，為何此情況仍出現；有何新措施防止下次選舉再出現此情況； （二）鑑於據報有人響應網上呼籲，在上述區議會選舉投票日在投票站外多次重複排隊，以造成長龍阻礙選民投票，以致有一些時間緊迫的人士和未能久候的體弱長者及殘疾人士對投票卻步，執法部門有否調查此情況；如有，詳情為何；如否，原因為何；有何新措施防止下次選舉再出現此情況；及 （三）鑑於現行投票程序為純人手操作（包括確認選民身分、發出選票並在選民登記冊作紀錄、以蓋印方式投票，以及點票），容易出錯及被人弄虛作假，政府會否在下次選舉時採用電子投票；如會，詳情為何；如否，原因為何？ 答覆： 主席： 就葛珮帆議員的提問，現回覆如下： 第六屆區議會一般選舉在本年十一月二十四日舉行，選民人數和投票人數都創歷史新高，選出了452位民選議員。是次選舉，在近月社會動盪的情況下舉行，面對前所未有的挑戰；四百多個選區無人自動當選，競爭之激烈同樣是前所未有。競選過程中，我們留意到很多無視選舉公平，不負責任的言論及行為，例如有人在網上公開叫人收起長者的身份證、威嚇候選人拉票、向正在拉票的候選人投擲汽油彈，亦有破壞一些候選人的辦事處和縱火的事件等，有人甚至散布謠言，聲稱選舉已經取消或改期。縱使如此，是次選舉的投票和點票過程最終都在公開和透明、整體上和平和有序的情況下完成，整個程序受到候選人和公眾監察。 選舉管理委員會（選管會）如接獲涉嫌違法的投訴個案，會轉交有關執法機關跟進，我們了解有關執法機關正跟進涉嫌違法的投訴個案和舉報。候選人或選民若認為選舉受到舞弊或非法行為干擾，或認為有關乎選舉的具關鍵性欠妥之處，亦可根據《區議會條例》第49及第50條提出選舉呈請以質疑選舉結果，並由法庭作出裁決。選舉結果可以基於不同理由而被質疑，當中包括： （1）當選者在選舉中或與選舉有關連的事宜中作出，或有人就當選者在選舉中作出舞弊或非法行為；或 （2）在選舉中或與選舉有關連的事宜中普遍存在舞弊或非法行為；或 （3）有任何關乎選舉或選舉的投票或點票的具關鍵性的欠妥之處。 今次選舉提出選舉呈請的限期為明年一月二十九日。截至今日，已有一名人士提出選舉呈請。 （一）就發出選票的法定程序方面，只有名字載列在二○一九年正式選民登記冊上的已登記選民才可在二○一九年區議會選舉中投票。選民到了指定的票站，根據《選舉管理委員會（選舉程序）（區議會）規例》（《規例》），投票站工作人員會在發票櫃枱查閱選民的香港永久性居民身分證或其他法例許可的身分證明文件（例如特區護照）的正本，並信納該選民的身分後，才向其發出一張選票；並在選民登記冊該選民的姓名及身分證明文件號碼上劃上一條橫線，以表示該名選民已獲發選票。 根據《規例》，在任何人申領選票時，投票站主任可向該人提問，要求對方確認身分及尚未投票，並在得到滿意的答案後才可向其發出選票。在投票站觀察的候選人、選舉代理人或監察投票代理人，亦可要求投票站主任作上述提問。 根據《規例》第60條，如果某人申領選票時，登記冊上顯示該人已獲發選票，而投票站主任又不肯定同一人是否已在較早前獲發選票，便須向該人發出一張正面批註「重複」及「TENDERED」字樣的選票。「重複」選票在點票時不予點算，但如果在選舉結束後有任何爭議，該選票仍可作為選舉呈請的理據。截止十二月十三日，選管會收到16宗與獲發「重複」選票有關的投訴。 根據《選舉（舞弊及非法行為）條例》第十五條，在選舉中冒充另一人申領選票，或在投票後再用本身的姓名在同一選舉中重複申領選票，一經定罪，最高可處罰款$500,000及監禁七年。 （二）就選舉當日排隊領取選票方面，根據《規例》，選民獲發給選票後，必須立即進入投票間填劃選票，而投票時亦不得無故拖延，並必須在將選票放進投票箱後立即離開投票站。假如選民刻意重覆要求申領選票以妨礙投票的進行，投票站主任可拒絕其要求；如投票站主任認為該選民在選舉中投票後再用本身姓名重複申領選票，則投票站主任可根據《規例》，請求警務人員逮捕有關人等。根據《選舉（舞弊及非法行為）條例》，任何人如以欺騙手段妨礙或阻止另一人在選舉中投票，即屬舞弊行為，而根據該《條例》，一經定罪，最高亦可處罰款$500,000及監禁七年。 今屆區議會選舉的累積投票率為71.2%，近三百萬人投票，票站開放首三小時，有約72萬人投票，是上屆選舉的三倍，令不少票站出現人龍。我們留意到有不少投票站實施了疏導人流的措施，靈活處理排隊安排。是次選舉規模非常龐大，涉及超過610個票站和逾二萬名選舉工作人員，另有過一萬名人員（如香港警務處、消防處、民眾安全服務隊等）在過程中提供支援。我們會檢視投票站安排、招募和培訓工作人員以及運作指引等事宜，探討改善的空間。選舉管理委員會在是次區議會選舉結束後的三個月內，須向行政長官提交報告。報告會檢討選舉安排，包括籌備工作、投票、點票和宣傳等，並提出建議，政制及內地事務局亦會與選舉事務處認真總結經驗，完善明年的立法會換屆選舉的各項安排。 （三）就科技應用的問題，我們多年來一直都積極研究將選舉不同環節電子化，但任何安排都必須在資訊科技應用、效率、安全風險、私隱保障和公眾信任等多方面取得平衡。過往我們亦曾經跟立法會討論過一些建議，但往往因意見紛紜而未能落實。 電子化的方向主要涉及三方面，包括電子發選票、電子投票和電子點票。就發出選票而言，在現行安排下，選舉事務處會安排兩名職員一起發出選票，避免人為錯誤及確保選舉公平誠實地進行。選舉事務處正研究用電子系統發票，希望提高發票的效率和準確性。 電子投票方面，我們曾研究海外國家／地區的經驗，發現它們在採用電子投票時都會遇到一些問題，包括電子投票系統被駭客入侵影響投票結果；電子投票器出現故障令投票受阻；購買電子投票器的成本昂貴而且投票器的使用年期不長，機器變成過時而不再適用等。從風險管理、資訊保安和成本效益等的角度，我們認為要引入電子投票，必先妥善處理好這些問題，而社會亦須有充分的討論，作出取捨。 至於電子點票，我們早前已諮詢過立法會政制事務委員會，現時的目標是明年立法會選舉，希望在部分人數較少的傳統功能界別作示範。 多謝主席。
政制及內地事務局局長就立法會議席出缺會見傳媒的談話全文（只有中文）
17.12.2019

以下為政制及內地事務局局長聶德權今日（十二月十七日）會見傳媒的談話全文： 記者：想問一問今日關於區諾軒和范國威兩個的議席出缺之後會否舉行補選？下一步的工作會怎樣進行？ 政制及內地事務局局長：我注意到選舉管理委員會（選管會）已經回應了傳媒的查詢。根據《立法會條例》，如果在一切上訴程序完結後，終結了議員的身分，如果立法會議席出現空缺，根據法例的要求，立法會秘書處會在二十一日內透過刊憲公告有關議席的出缺。選舉管理委員會亦會按照法例，在有議席出缺時進行補選。在考慮補選時，法例上亦提到，就是在立法會的會期完結之前的四個月內不得進行補選。換言之，補選是不能夠遲於明年的五月底進行，這是法例上的要求。選舉管理委員會亦表示，他們會根據法例、實際情況，和是否切實可行去考慮是否進行補選。我相信選舉管理委員會考慮後會作出公布。 我亦注意到選舉管理委員會表示，因為明年九月是立法會的換屆選舉，是比較大型和大規模的選舉，選舉事務處和選管會正全力進行籌備工作。另一方面，剛剛區議會的換屆選舉亦已舉行，根據法例的要求，選舉管理委員會在這次區議會選舉完結後的三個月內向行政長官提交報告，就籌備選舉，包括之前的籌備、投票、點票、宣傳等有關方面的工作作一個報告和提出建議，研究有甚麼經驗和有需要改善的地方。這兩方面的工作選管會正全力地進行。如果有任何的補選，當然要考慮到所需要的資源，包括人力資源、場地和票站。如果有兩個選區要補選，需考慮到規模，並按照法例規定及實際情況，在切實可行的情況下去考慮。我相信法律上寫得清楚，亦根據原則作出這些考慮，所以讓選舉管理委員會作出相關考慮後，我相信他們會有公布。 記者：會否不做補選？現時法例規定基本上必須做補選，但如果在切實可行下選管會有一些理由而表示未必做到，是否就不做補選？ 政制及內地事務局局長：我剛才所說，法例上如有議席出缺，當然需要考慮進行補選，但亦要在立法會期結束、完結前四個月內不會進行補選；另一方面選管會考慮是否補選時，會按實際情況和可行性，根據事實、所需要的相關人力資源、地方等方面來考慮，所以這是按可行性考慮的問題。 記者：另外想問，兩位都指政府行政上的出錯，令選民及他們兩人負上責任，受到影響。你覺得他們這個說法是否成立？ 政制及內地事務局局長：首先，如你看看法庭判決，基本上在判詞裏確定了選舉主任按照法例規定，亦根據所掌握的資料及法律意見決定參選人提名是否有效。所以這方面選舉主任有法定權力和責任去確定參選人提名是否有效的工作，這是第一點。第二點，選舉主任進行有關工作時，而事實上在所有選舉的安排和工作上所有公職人員，包括選舉主任，都是按照法例規定、按照政治中立、不偏不倚的原則、按照實際情況和相關法律意見進行工作。在處理這件事情上選舉主任也是這樣運作。我相信在法庭方面也就這件事情判決，判詞上也有考慮，需要時會作相應跟進。謝謝。
政制及內地事務局局長在立法會政制事務委員會就《施政報告》有關選舉安排、推廣《憲法》和《基本法》、促進平等機會和消除歧視事務政策措施開場發言（只有中文）
16.12.2019

以下是政制及內地事務局局長聶德權今日（十二月十六日）在立法會政制事務委員會就《施政報告》內有關選舉安排、推廣《憲法》和《基本法》、促進平等機會和消除歧視事務的政策措施的開場發言全文： 主席： 行政長官發表的二○一九年《施政報告》內，有關政制及內地事務局的工作已於文件中列載，我簡介一下重要的領域，有關政制及內地事務局在選舉安排、推廣《憲法》和《基本法》、促進平等機會和消除歧視事務的政策措施。 公共選舉 在選舉安排方面，特區政府會與選舉管理委員會 （選管會）保持溝通，全面配合選管會的籌備工作，並提供足夠資源，讓將舉行的立法會選舉能在公開、公平和誠實的情況下依法進行。 二○一九年區議會選舉 二○一九年區議會一般選舉已於十一月二十四日舉行，為第六屆區議會選出452位民選區議員。是次區議會一般選舉在多方面都打破了紀錄，包括登記選民人數方面、民選議席數目、獲有效提名的候選人數目，以及所有選區均有競逐的選舉；最後，投票人數高達294萬，投票率高達71.23%。選舉管理委員會根據法例，會在選舉結束後三個月內，向行政長官作出報告，檢視選舉安排，並提出建議，以完善未來的選舉安排。 二○二○年立法會選舉 二○二○年立法會換屆選舉將於明年第三季舉行。我們會因應二○一九年區議會一般選舉的經驗，優化選舉安排。選舉事務處將會在明年上半年就《立法會選舉活動建議指引》、選舉的實務安排，以及選舉的宣傳計劃，諮詢立法會政制事務委員會的意見。 合資格登記成為選民的人士必須在明年五月二日或之前提出申請，才會被納入明年七月發表的正式選民登記冊，並在隨後的立法會換屆選舉中投票。 選民登記 為配合二○二○年立法會換屆選舉，政府會一如以往加強選民登記的宣傳工作，藉此鼓勵合資格人士登記成為選民。 選舉事務處會繼續推行查核措施及執行查訊程序，提醒公眾、選民提供真實和正確的選民登記資料，以及應盡公民責任適時更新登記資料，以維持選民登記資料的準確性和完整性。 政制發展 由「一人一票」普選行政長官和立法會全部議員，是《基本法》訂下的最終目標。社會就政改展開的討論，需要有法理基礎，並在平和、互信的氛圍下，以務實的態度進行。特區政府會審時度勢，按照《基本法》及全國人大常委會的相關解釋和決定推動政制發展。 國歌法 全國人大常委會已於二○一七年十一月將《國歌法》列入《基本法》附件三。香港特區政府有憲制責任在本地實施《國歌法》。 我們其實已在二○一九年一月向立法會提交《國歌條例草案》，立法會其後成立的法案委員會在二○一八至一九立法年度經過17次會議及超過50小時的討論後，已於五月二十四日完成有關審議工作，並於六月二十八日向內務委員會作出報告。特區政府會在二○一九至二○立法年度就《國歌條例草案》恢復二讀辯論，以期盡早通過《國歌條例草案》。 推廣《憲法》及《基本法》 《憲法》及《基本法》共同構成香港特區的憲制基礎，為香港落實「一國兩制」方針，保持長期繁榮穩定提供有力的保障。政府非常重視《憲法》及《基本法》的推廣及教育工作，一直積極推廣《憲法》及《基本法》，透過不同渠道，讓市民對《憲法》、《基本法》及「一國兩制」有更全面和深入的認識。 推廣多元共融 消除性傾向及性別認同歧視 政府一直致力促進不同性傾向和跨性別人士的平等機會，以期在社會上建立共融、互相尊重、不歧視的文化和價值觀。我們將會推行兩項新措施，包括第一，為政府紀律部隊開發培訓資源，並納入恆常訓練課程中，以提高紀律部隊前線人員對性小眾的認識和敏感度；第二，設立溝通平台，就研究其他司法管轄區推行性小眾反歧視措施的結果，與持份者探討及推展可行的反歧視措施方案。 我們亦正草擬不歧視性小眾約章，涉及貨品、設施及服務的提供、房產的處置和管理、僱傭以及教育數個範疇，讓相關機構自願採納，增加對性小眾的接納。 歧視條例檢討 政府已於去年十二月向立法會提交《2018年歧視法例（雜項修訂）條例草案》（《條例草案》），以推展平機會就歧視條例檢討提出為優先處理的其中八項複雜性及爭議性較低的建議。一旦《條例草案》獲得通過，我們會與平機會合作落實相關立法措施。 《條例草案》的通過並不代表檢討反歧視條例的工作就此結束。事實上，因應《條例草案》審議過程中接收的意見，政府現計劃另行提出法例修訂，擴闊《性別歧視條例》（第480章）下的保障，以禁止基於餵哺母乳的騷擾。我們亦會邀請平機會整全地審視免受性騷擾保障的適用情況，以回應相關超出歧視條例檢討範圍的關注。在加強法律保障的同時，我們支持平機會加強防止性騷擾的工作，包括研究相關的法律保障、設立一站式支援平台、向不同界別推廣制訂反性騷擾政策及措施，以及通過教育和宣傳活動，提高公眾對性騷擾的認識和警覺性等。 在下一階段，政府會繼續研究平機會就歧視條例檢討提出需要優先處理的餘下各項建議，以決定未來路向，並期望在本屆政府任內向公眾交代。 促進種族平等 政府一直致力消除種族歧視和促進少數族裔人士的平等機會。為進一步做好這方面的工作，我們會優化《促進種族平等行政指引》（《指引》）以適用於所有為少數族裔人士提供服務的政策局、部門和有關機構。我們正積極審視《指引》，包括草擬有關提供傳譯服務，及收集服務使用者所屬種族的相關數據的指引。有關優化《指引》的工作已經接近完成。 保障個人資料私隱 政府十分重視保障個人資料私隱，亦同意在保障私隱方面需要與時並進。我們留意到較早前發生的一系列重大個人資料外洩事故，我們現正聯同個人資料私隱專員公署，積極檢討並研究修訂《個人資料（私隱）條例》，以加強對個人資料的保障。 主席，我的簡介完畢。我和同事樂意解答議員所提出的問題。