Government revising election laws

The Government is to submit proposed revisions to three electoral legislations to the Legislative Assembly for discussion, following public consultation that resulted in the proposed modifications. In a press conference today, the spokesperson of the Executive Council, Mr Tong Chi Kin, said the Council had finished discussing the revisions of the Chief Executive Election Law, the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly and the Voter Registration Law, which included further changes, following a one-month public consultation in February and March. The Government received 7,468 responses in the consultation period, with 86.5% (6,458) of them agreeing with the changes proposed by the Government. Mr Tong said this showed that most people supported the Government’s objectives in facilitating elections and in prudently promoting democratic development by revising the three laws. The revised drafts are in line with the spirit of Annex I and II of the Basic Law, he said. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, explained the changes made after the public consultation. The changes would mean if any candidate is convicted for corrupt conduct in elections, the votes obtained are deemed invalid. And any seats won by the candidate on the same list are also invalid, with re-election to be held for these seats. The Government also suggested making more severe punishment for corrupt conduct, notably those involved in corruption or bribery. Some offences could carry a maximum jail term of eight years. Given the term of office of the Chief Executive and members of the Legislative Assembly, the time limitation of prosecution will be extended from one year to four and five years. Ms Chan said the Government had all along been studying the issue of constitutional development in Macao, and would continue to listen to opinion from different sectors.