Anomalies of the functional constituencies in Hong Kong

Abstract

Anomalies abound in Hong Kong’s functional constituency (FC) system. The most significant anomaly relates to the fundamental question of how many are entitled to vote. Only about 5% of the general registered electorate is entitled to a second vote in the FC system. In 2000, this figure was 160,487 individuals. So why a mere 5%? Why not 34%? Why not 2.7%? There is no answer. What is known is that the Government adopted a policy of size control in planning for the 2004 Legislative Council election arrangements. This policy, which tries to confine the number and composition of FC electors to the status quo, is arguably in breach of the Basic Law principles of gradual and orderly progress towards universal suffrage. The policy itself causes further anomalies and reinforces the existing ones.