2000 President of the Hong Kong Legislative Council election

The election for the President of the Second Legislative Council took place on 4 October 2000 for members of the 2nd Legislative Council of Hong Kong to among themselves elect the President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong for the duration of the council. Rita Fan from the pro-Beijing camp defeated former President Andrew Wong and was re-elected.

Proceedings

According to Article 71 of the Hong Kong Basic Law and Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council, the President of the Legislative Council has to be a Chinese citizen of 40 years old or above, a permanent resident of Hong Kong with no right of abode in any foreign country, and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for not less than 20 years continuously.^[1]

According to the Standing Order, the member present who has the longest continuous service in the Council shall preside at the election. Kenneth Ting thus chaired the election.^[2]

Rita Fan, the incumbent President of the council, was nominated by James Tien, and seconded by 10 other pro-government members. Andrew Wong, who served as president in the colonial Council, was nominated by Margaret Ng and seconded by 3 democrats.

Candidates

Rita Fan (Independent, pro-Beijing camp), President of the Legislative Council (since 1997)

Nominations – James Tien (Lib), Jasper Tsang (DAB), Philip Wong, Ambrose Lau (HKPA), Eric Li (Breakfast), Li Fung-ying (FLU), Lui Ming-wah (Breakfast), Bernard Chan (Breakfast), Ng Leung-sing (Breakfast), Raymond Ho (Breakfast), Ng Ching-fai (NCF)

Andrew Wong (Independent, pro-democracy camp), former President of the Legislative Council (1995–1997)

Nominations – Margaret Ng, James To (Dem), Law Chi-kwong (Dem), Sin Chung-kai (Dem)

Results

Rita Fan was re-elected, becoming the first President of the council with a four-year term of office since the handover.

Candidate		Votes	%
	Rita Fan Y	38	64.41
	Andrew Wong	21	35.59
Spoilt/rejected ballots		0	0
Turnout		59^[a]	100

^ Cheng Kai-nam resigned after elected due to corruption scandal, therefore vacating a seat in the Legislative Council

References

^ Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region/Chapter IV/Section 3 – via Wikisource.
^ "Election of President" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Hong Kong: Legislative Council. 2000-10-04.

[3] Cheng Kai-nam resigned after elected due to corruption scandal, therefore vacating a seat in the Legislative Council

[1] Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region/Chapter IV/Section 3 – via Wikisource.

[:0-2] "Election of President" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Hong Kong: Legislative Council. 2000-10-04.

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