Finance Committee Procedure

• (a)
  examination of the Estimates of Expenditure presented in accordance with Rule 67 of the Rules of Procedure and referred by the President of the Council ("the President") in accordance with Rule 71(11) of the Rules of Procedure; and
• (b)
  approving proposals to change the approved Estimates of Expenditure presented by the Financial Secretary in accordance with section 8(1) of the Public Finance Ordinance.

2.

The Committee shall consist of not less than 50 members including the Chairman. Members of the Committee shall be those Members (other than the President) having signified membership in accordance with the procedure in Appendix I. The term of office of the members shall be the whole term of the Council, except in the case of resignation from the Committee [Rule 71(1)].

2A.

An application for late membership shall be considered by the Committee after the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee. The Committee shall accept such applications only when sufficient grounds have been provided. A Member who is admitted as a member of the Committee under this provision may not seek a re-election of the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Committee by reason only of his admission.

2B.

Members who have not elected to join the Committee may attend Committee meetings and take part in the discussion of agenda items on submissions from the Administration but have no right to vote. Only members of the Committee may take part in the discussion and vote on motions. Members who have not elected to join the Committee may also participate in the special meetings of the Committee to examine the Estimates of Expenditure as provided under paragraphs 49 to 53 of this Procedure.

3.

The Committee may appoint subcommittees for the purpose of assisting the Committee in the performance of such functions of the Committee as the Committee may determine [Rule 71(5)]. Items endorsed by a subcommittee are not normally discussed again in the Committee, though the Committee is free to accept or overturn any recommendation. The subcommittees appointed under Rule 71(5) of the Rules of Procedure are the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee.

3A.

For each item endorsed by a subcommittee, the subcommittee shall recommend to the Committee whether there is to be further discussion of the item by the Committee. The Committee will deal with the item as recommended by the subcommittee, unless a request jointly made by not less than three Committee members to overturn such recommendation of the subcommittee is acceded to by the Committee. Members who wish to request that such recommendation of the subcommittee be overturned shall give notice of the request to the Clerk at least two clear days before the meeting concerned but shorter notice may be given if the Chairman so directs. No fresh notice of such request may be given if the agenda item is carried over to another meeting. The Chairman shall put forthwith, without amendment or debate, the question on the request for the Committee's decision.

4.

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee shall be elected by and from among its members² and shall hold office until the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the next session are respectively elected in that next session or, in case that election is held before that next session commences, until that commencement. In the event of the temporary absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the Committee may elect a chairman to act during such absence. Notwithstanding the provision in paragraph 45, the Chairman or the member presiding, as the case may be, shall have his original vote in addition to his casting vote in such elections [Rule 71(2)].

5.

The procedure for the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee is set out in Appendix II.

6.

Except as otherwise provided in Appendix II, the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the first session of a term shall take place at the first meeting of the Committee in the session. The Member who has the highest precedence in the Council [Rule 1A] shall be responsible for calling that meeting. For the second or each subsequent session of a term, the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee may take place at a meeting held before that session commences. The meeting shall be called by the Chairman in office.

7.

The Clerk shall attend the meetings of the Committee, keep a record of the proceedings of the Committee, and distribute a copy thereof to each member. The record of a meeting is kept in the form of minutes, recording the Members attending, follow-up actions required (if any) and the decisions taken, and appended by a verbatim record (floor version) of the meeting. The Clerk will not normally clear the records of proceedings with the Administration or other persons except in respect of such part of a record which relates to statements made by the Administration or such other persons.

8.

The Clerk is responsible for the publication of the reports of the Committee and its subcommittees.

9.

The Legal Adviser advises the Chairman and the Clerk on all legal matters in relation to the business and administration of the Committee.

10.

The Committee meets at the time (including any time during the period when the Council is in recess between the end of one session and the beginning of the next session) and the place determined by the Chairman [Rule 71(6)]. At the beginning of each session, the Clerk shall seek the Chairman's agreement to a provisional schedule of dates of Committee meetings for the session and inform members and the Administration accordingly. The Chairman may decide to convene special meetings to consider urgent items or to deal with other business of the Committee.

11.

The Clerk shall give members written notice of every meeting at least five clear days³ before the day of the meeting but shorter notice may be given in any case where the Chairman so directs [Rule 71(6)]. Meetings shall be held in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the Committee [Rule 71(7)]. Any items on the agenda scheduled for discussion but not dealt with at the meeting will be carried over to the next meeting or, if the Chairman decides, to a special meeting.

12.

In between the First Reading and resumption of the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, the Committee holds special meetings to examine the Estimates of Expenditure, tabled with the Appropriation Bill, for the following financial year.

13.

The Chairman shall chair committee meetings and shall have the power to regulate the process of the meetings, including the power to set time limits on the consideration of agenda items or motions. If the Chairman is not available, the Deputy Chairman shall chair committee meetings. If neither of them is present within 15 minutes of the time appointed for a meeting or if both of them have notified the Clerk that they will not be present at the meeting, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting. If the Chairman decides that he is unable to act for a particular item, the Deputy Chairman shall chair the meeting for that particular item. If both of them decide that they are unable to act, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting for that item.

13A.

Save as otherwise provided in the Rules of Procedure, the Deputy Chairman or the member presiding shall enjoy all those powers conferred by this Procedure on the Chairman that are exercisable in respect of the meeting, or part of the meeting, of the Committee at which the Deputy Chairman or that member presides, or in respect of which the Chairman has requested that he presides.

14.

The Chairman and eight members shall form a quorum [Rule 71(5A)]. The meeting will not be held unless a quorum is present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting.

15.

If the attention of the Chairman during a meeting is drawn to the fact that a quorum is not present, he shall direct the members to be summoned. If after 15 minutes have expired and a quorum is still not present, he shall adjourn the meeting without questions put.

16.

The Chairman shall ensure that a quorum is present before he orders the Committee to proceed to making a decision.

17.

For an item endorsed by a subcommittee for which no further discussion is to be conducted by the Committee as recommended by the subcommittee, no arrangement will be made by the Administration for relevant public officers or any persons to attend the meeting concerned to answer questions on the item. However, if notice of a request has been given under paragraph 3A by not less than three Committee members that such recommendation of the subcommittee be overturned, the Clerk shall notify the Administration by 5:00 pm on the working day before the meeting concerned to make arrangements to facilitate possible discussion of the item at the meeting.

17A.

For items to be discussed by the Committee, the Chairman or the Committee may invite any public officer, or, in the case of a head of the Estimates relating to a non-government body or organization, any member or employee of that body or organization to give information or any explanation or to produce any records or documents which the Committee may require in the performance of its duties; and the Committee may also invite any other person to assist the Committee in relation to any such information, explanation, records or documents [Rule 71(12)]. Should a member wish to request that a public officer or other person be invited to attend a meeting of the Committee, such request should reach the Clerk not less than two clear days before the meeting concerned but shorter notice may be given with the Chairman's consent. Subject to the agreement of the Chairman or the Committee as appropriate, the request will be forwarded to the Administration as soon as practicable for arrangement. The Clerk will state in the agenda the office of the public officers and other persons invited for discussion of the particular items.

18.

When the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) or a Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) attends Committee meetings in the absence of the Financial Secretary, he is responsible for advising the Chairman on public finance procedures and coordinating the Administration's presentation at such meetings including withdrawal or modification of a proposal.

19.

In accordance with Rule 80(a) of the Rules of Procedure, the Committee may summon, as required when exercising its powers and functions, persons concerned to testify or give evidence, but the Chief Executive may decide, in the light of security and vital public interests, whether Government officials or other personnel in charge of Government affairs should testify or give evidence before the Committee.

19A.

In respect of an agenda item to be discussed by the Committee, a member may move a motion for the Committee to exercise the summoning power referred to in paragraph 19 above. The notice of such motion, which is not amendable, shall be signed by the member proposing to move the motion and not less than five other members, and should reach the Clerk at least two clear days before the meeting concerned, but shorter notice may be given if the Chairman so directs. The notice shall be accompanied by the terms of the motion and a statement to explain the necessity for the Committee to summon the person(s) concerned. Each member may give notice or be the signatory of no more than one such motion. No fresh notice of such motion may be given if the agenda item concerned is carried over to another meeting. The Chairman shall have the sole discretion to determine the admissibility of such motions.

19B.

If notice of a motion is given under paragraph 19A, the Clerk shall notify the Administration of the motion by 5:00 pm on the working day before the meeting concerned to facilitate the Administration's preparation.

19C.

During the discussion of an agenda item in respect of which notice of a motion under paragraph 19A has been given, and if the motion has been ruled admissible by the Chairman, the Chairman shall order a debate on the motion (or a joint debate on all such motions on the same item) at a juncture he considers appropriate, and shall put each such motion to vote separately after debate. If any such motion is passed, the Chairman may adjourn the discussion on the item without putting any question; and if so adjourned, the Committee's discussion on the item shall be resumed at a meeting as decided by the Chairman.

20.

The Administration may provide information notes to members in response to a request by members made at a previous meeting or on the Administration's own initiative. Information notes are issued by the Clerk under a serially-numbered cover.

21.

The Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) or a Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), each being a public officer designated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under Article 62(6) of the Basic Law, or any member may give notice to the Clerk of the items of business to be included in the agenda of the Finance Committee [Rule 9(2)]. The notice of agenda items should reach the Clerk at least six clear days before the meeting concerned, but shorter notice may be given if the Chairman so directs, provided that it shall not be shorter than two clear days for motions moved by members for deciding on matters under the Public Finance Ordinance (Cap. 2). The proposed motions should be presented in written form.

22.

A Finance Committee agenda item is a discussion paper seeking approval for changes to the approved Estimates of Expenditure, financial implications of new proposals where no immediate change to the approved Estimates of Expenditure is necessary, delegation of powers to the Financial Secretary, or other proposals from the Administration, as well as a motion from any member of the Finance Committee. The Clerk shall despatch agenda items to members at least five clear days before the meeting at which the items are to be discussed unless, on grounds of urgency, the Chairman directs otherwise.

23.

Non-confidential agenda items are discussed in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the Committee [Rule 71(7)]. If there is a confidential item and members have questions on it, the Committee will discuss the item in closed session normally after the discussion of all the non-confidential items, unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with a decision of the Committee. If the Administration considers it necessary to classify an agenda item as confidential, there must be a paragraph in the submission explaining the reason for confidentiality.

24.

The Clerk delivers papers relating to a confidential item to members in a sealed envelope. Members should take care to ensure that such papers are kept in safe custody and should not disclose their content, in part or in full, to any unauthorized person.

25.

Where the Chairman so orders, any matter for the decision of the Committee may be considered by circulation of papers to the members of the Committee and each member may signify his approval in writing submitted to the Chairman. If a majority of the members so signify before the expiry of the period specified by the Chairman for the purpose, and if upon expiry of that period no member has (in writing submitted to the Chairman) signified disapproval of the matter or requested that the matter be referred for decision at a meeting of the Committee, it shall be deemed to be approved by the Committee.

26.

27.

Under section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance, proposals to change the approved Estimates of Expenditure must come from the Financial Secretary, and members cannot amend the Financial Secretary's proposals. The Committee must discuss and vote on any proposal as it stands. If the Committee does not approve the proposal, it would then be for the Financial Secretary to consider whether to make a fresh proposal amended in such a way as may make it acceptable to the Committee.

28.

Although Rule 69 of the Rules of Procedure provides for Members to propose amendments to the Estimates, that only applies when a committee of the whole Council is considering the Appropriation Bill itself, i.e. when the Estimates of Expenditure are not yet approved.

29.

Where the Administration is seeking approval of the Committee under paragraph 5 of the Resolution of the Legislative Council passed on 14 March 1990 on Capital Investment Fund, the Committee may specify terms and conditions in relation to such approval.

30.

Subject to the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council, the Committee shall determine its own practice and procedure [Rule 71(13)].

31.

The Chairman is responsible for the observance of the rules of order in the Committee. His decision on a point of order shall be final [Rule 44].

32.

The Chairman, after having called the attention of the Committee to the conduct of a member who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition of his own or other members' arguments in the discussion, may direct him to discontinue his speech [Rule 45(1)].

33.

• (a)
  on a point of order, and if called by the Chairman, when the member speaking shall give way and, subject to paragraph 33A, the member interrupting shall direct attention to the point which he wishes to bring to notice for the Chairman's decision; or
• (b)
  to seek elucidation on some matters raised by that member in the course of discussion, if the member speaking is willing to give way and the Chairman agrees.
  (FC235/20-21)

33A.

The Chairman may direct the member who is interrupting another member under paragraph 33(a) to discontinue speaking if the Chairman is of the opinion that the interruption is an abuse of procedure [Rule 39].

34.

A member may address the Committee orally in either Putonghua, Cantonese or English. Replies by the public officers and other persons attending may likewise be in either Putonghua, Cantonese or English. All Committee papers are in both Chinese and English.

35.

Members should remain seated at meetings and need not rise in order to speak. There is no need to stand when the Chairman enters or leaves.

36.

Members should raise their hands or press the "Request to speak" button (where one is installed at their seats) to indicate their intention to speak.

37.

Save as otherwise provided in this Procedure and in the resolution made and passed by the Committee on 13 January 2018, Rules 29 to 35 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply, with necessary modifications as determined by the Chairman, to the proceedings of the Committee in dealing with motions.

38.

Rules 36 to 42 of the Rules of Procedure, except the attire requirement laid down in Rule 42(a), shall apply to the proceedings of the Committee unless the Chairman orders otherwise [Rule 43].

39.

Subject to paragraph 39A, a member who has been called upon by the Chairman to speak on a proposal in the Committee, and before he so speaks, may move without notice that discussion on an item be now adjourned. Thereupon the Chairman shall propose the question on the motion to adjourn [Rule 40]. A member, when speaking on the question, may not speak more than once [Rule 38] and shall not make a speech for more than three minutes or any time period as decided by the Chairman. When no or no more member indicates his intention to speak on the question, the Chairman shall forthwith put the question on the motion to the Committee for its decision. No member may speak on the question after it has been put [Rule 33].

39A.

Where the Chairman is of the opinion that the moving of the motion that the discussion on an item be now adjourned is an abuse of procedure, he may decide not to propose the question on the motion or to put the question forthwith without debate [Rule 40(1B)].

40.

Rule 83A and Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the Committee.

41.

There are situations in which the usual rules regarding pecuniary interests do not apply, such as when an item proposes changes to Members' salaries and allowances as Members of the Council. In these cases, there is no need for members to declare their individual interests. The Chairman shall declare that all members have the same pecuniary interest in the question and the Clerk records the statement. Members may then speak and vote.

42.

After the Chairman calls a meeting to order, he normally deals first with the business left over from a previous meeting, if any. The Chairman then gives a brief summary of each item (except confidential items) for the benefit of members of the public who do not have copies of the papers on the agenda item, and introduces the persons, if any, at the meeting responsible for answering questions on the item. For an item to be discussed by the Committee, the Chairman invites members to discuss the item or put questions to the persons responsible for answering them.

43.

Members' questions on a proposal must relate directly to the contents of the agenda item. On wider questions of policy, members should raise them either in the full Council or at an appropriate Legislative Council Panel. In determining whether questions are in order, the Chairman shall have regard to Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure on contents of questions where appropriate.

44.

Representatives from the relevant bureau and/or department are in attendance to answer questions which members may have. Any member who requires a comprehensive or very technical oral reply to his question at the meeting should notify the Clerk beforehand so that the answer can be prepared. If the Administration cannot give a full or definite answer at the meeting, the representative concerned may supplement his answer in writing by subsequently providing an information note to the Committee or a letter to the member who asked the question with copies to other members as appropriate.

45.

The Committee makes decisions on all matters by a majority of the members present and voting. Neither the Chairman nor any other member presiding shall vote, unless the votes of the other members are equally divided, in which case he shall have a casting vote [Rule 71(5B)], but the casting vote shall not be exercised in such a way as to produce a majority vote in favour of the question put.

45A.

For an item endorsed by a subcommittee for which no further discussion is to be conducted by the Committee as recommended by the subcommittee or as decided by the Committee, the Chairman shall forthwith put the item to vote without discussion. For an item that has been discussed by the Committee, before putting the item to vote, the Chairman shall ask members if they have any further questions.

46.

When the Chairman puts a question to the Committee for its decision, he shall first call upon those members who are in favour of the question to raise their hands and shall then call upon those who are against the question to raise their hands. The Chairman shall then, according to his judgement, state whether or not he thinks the majority of the members present and voting are in favour of the question. If no member challenges the statement, the Chairman shall declare the question to have been so decided. If a member challenges the statement of the Chairman by claiming a division, then the Chairman shall order the Committee to proceed to a division and the division shall be held forthwith immediately after a division bell has been rung for five minutes [Rule 47(1)].

47.

When a division has been ordered, Rules 48 and 49 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the Committee. Immediately after the Chairman has declared the result of a division under an agenda item, a member may move without notice that in the event of further divisions being claimed in respect of any motions or questions under the same agenda item, the Committee do proceed to each of such divisions immediately after the division bell has been rung for one minute. Thereupon the Chairman shall put the question on that motion without debate. In the event that the division bell does not function or may not be rung, the Chairman shall order the Clerk to arrange for members of the Committee within the precincts of the Chamber to be notified of the division. The division shall be held 10 minutes after the order has been made.

48.

If a member fails to declare that he has a direct pecuniary interest in an item in accordance with Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure, and has voted on it, then his vote stands (and the decision of the Committee is valid) unless his vote is disallowed under Rule 84(4) of the Rules of Procedure.

49.

The Financial Secretary formally presents the annual Estimates of Expenditure to the Council at the meeting at which the Appropriation Bill is read the first time and provides advance copies of the Estimates of Expenditure to members a few days before that meeting. The President may then refer the Estimates of Expenditure to the Committee for its examination at special meetings before consideration of the Appropriation Bill in a committee of the whole Council [Rule 67 and 71(11)]. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the provision sought is no more than is necessary for the execution of approved policies.

50.

Prior to the special meetings, members of the Committee and other Members of the Council (other than the President) may raise questions on the Estimates of Expenditure for written replies from Controlling Officers, through their respective Directors of Bureau as appropriate. Directors of Bureau and Controlling Officers will deal with any supplementary questions arising from these written replies either orally at the special meetings or in writing afterwards.

51.

The Committee normally holds the special meetings in public over three full days after the First Reading of the Appropriation Bill. Directors of Bureau and Controlling Officers without a Director of Bureau appear in different sessions of these meetings. Directors of Bureau will attend with their key Controlling Officers. Directors of Bureau and Controlling Officers without a Director of Bureau may make a short introduction to highlight their policy areas, the priorities for the year ahead and the requested resources.

52.

Members of the Committee and other Members of the Council (other than the President) then ask questions on points made during the introduction, the written replies to Members' initial questions and the Estimates of Expenditure. The Directors of Bureau and Controlling Officers in attendance answer Members' questions and provide supplementary information in writing after the meetings, if necessary.

53.

After the special meetings, the Chairman shall present a report on the proceedings of the meetings to the Council.

54.

The signification of the membership of the Finance Committee ("the Committee") shall follow the procedure set out below.

2.

Members may join the Committee by submission of returns to the Secretariat by noon on the Friday immediately prior to the first Council meeting of a new term. The term of office of a member of the Committee shall be the whole term of the Council except in the case of resignation from the Committee. However, a Member shall immediately cease to be a member of the Committee when that Member is elected as the President. For the second or each subsequent session of a term, a Member who wishes to join the Committee may do so by submission of a return to the Secretariat by noon on the penultimate Friday prior to the first Council meeting of that session and the deadline for submission of return shall be taken as the time when the Member's membership takes effect. If the deadline for submission of returns falls on a public holiday, such deadline shall be advanced to the first preceding day that is not a public holiday.

3.

In the event that less than 50 Members have joined the Committee by the deadline for submission of returns, the deadline for submission of returns will automatically be extended to noon on the next day which is not a Saturday or a public holiday. If, upon the expiry of the extended deadline, less than 50 Members have joined the Committee, the deadline will automatically be further extended for one day each time until not less than 50 Members have joined the Committee.

4.

In the event that a change of membership of the Committee or the Council occurs such that the Committee consists of less than 50 members including the Chairman, the President may direct that Members be invited to join the Committee by submission of returns to the Secretariat by a specified deadline.

5.

A Member who joins the Council after the start of a session may join the Committee by submission of a return to the Secretariat within one month of the date on which he is declared elected as Member of the Council. His membership of the Committee shall take effect from the time his return is received by the Secretariat.

The election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee ("the Committee") shall follow the procedure set out below.

2.

After the membership list of the Committee has been confirmed, the Clerk shall issue the membership list to members and invite them to submit nominations for the offices of Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

3.

Nominations for the office of Chairman shall be submitted via electronic means specified by the Secretariat. A valid nomination shall be made by a member, seconded by at least one other member, and accepted by the member being nominated. A member may nominate himself for the office of Chairman ("the member concerned"), provided that such nomination is seconded by at least one other member. In such case, the name of the member concerned will appear on a submission of nomination in the capacities as a member making nomination and a member being nominated.

4.

The name of a member shall not appear on more than one submission of nomination for the office of Chairman, whether in the capacity as a member being nominated, or as a member making the nomination, or as a member seconding the nomination. In the event that a member's name appears on more than one submission of nomination (whether in the capacity as a member being nominated or as a member making the nomination, or as a member seconding the nomination), only the first such submission of nomination received by the Secretariat shall be valid. The Secretariat shall notify the member who submitted any invalid nomination(s).

5.

Nominations for the office of Chairman shall reach the Secretariat at least one clear day before the meeting at which the election is scheduled to take place ("scheduled meeting"). If the deadline for submission of nomination falls on a Saturday or public holiday, such deadline shall be advanced to the first preceding day that is not a Saturday or public holiday.

6.

The same requirements set out in paragraphs 3 to 5 above shall also apply to submission of nominations for the office of Deputy Chairman.

7.

Upon the close of the nomination period, the Clerk shall prepare a list of valid nominations for the offices of Chairman and Deputy Chairman (if any) in the order of receipt by the Secretariat and shall distribute the list to members before the scheduled meeting. If there are two or more valid nominations for the office of Chairman and/or Deputy Chairman, the election shall be arranged in accordance with the relevant arrangements set out in paragraphs 9 to 28.

8.

9.

If there are two or more valid nominations for the office of Chairman, the election shall be conducted at a meeting of the Committee.

10.

Where the election of Chairman takes place at the first meeting of the Committee in a term of the Legislative Council, the member present who has the highest precedence shall preside at the election. If he is being nominated for the office, the member present who has the highest precedence among the members not nominated for the office shall preside. At any other election of Chairman, the member who was the Chairman of the Committee before the election shall preside at the election. If he is absent or is being nominated for the office, the member who was the Deputy Chairman of the Committee before the election shall preside. If both members who were Chairman and Deputy Chairman before the election are absent or are being nominated for the office, the member present who has the highest precedence among the members not nominated for the office shall preside.

11.

The presiding member shall proceed straight to balloting in accordance with the procedures prescribed in paragraphs 12 to 17 below. The presiding member may deal with matters necessary for the conduct of such procedures, but he shall not hear points of order or entertain any motion including a motion to establish the manner in which the Committee wishes to proceed with the election. Nominees shall not present election platforms or answer questions from members.

12.

The presiding member shall announce a vote by secret ballot and shall order the Clerk to distribute a ballot paper to each of the members present, including the presiding member. Each nominee shall be assigned a nominee number according to the order set out in the list of valid nominations.

13.

A member present who wishes to vote shall mark on a ballot paper using a chop with a "✓" in the box opposite the nominee number of his choice, and place the ballot paper into the ballot box. Any ballot paper not marked, not properly marked or marked with a "✓" in the respective boxes opposite two or more nominee numbers shall be discarded.

14.

After all the members present who wish to vote have done so, the Clerk shall count the ballot papers in front of all the members present and report the result to the presiding member who shall check the result for confirmation. The presiding member shall invite the members making the nominations or seconding the nominations to witness the counting of votes.

15.

The presiding member shall declare elected as Chairman the nominee who receives the highest number of valid votes among all the nominees.

16.

If two or more nominees receive the same highest number of valid votes, the presiding member shall announce that lots will be drawn by him to decide how he shall give the casting vote in respect of these nominees.

17.

The presiding member shall then draw lots and give the casting vote to one of the nominees in accordance with the lot drawn, and shall forthwith declare that nominee elected as Chairman.

18.

If an election of the Chairman of the Committee cannot be completed within 30 minutes from the starting time appointed for the meeting, the presiding member shall forthwith adjourn the meeting without question put and shall not extend the meeting.

19.

In the event that a meeting of the Committee is adjourned in accordance with paragraph 18 above, the President shall have the power to appoint a member of the Committee to call another meeting for conducting the election and preside at the remaining proceedings of the election. If necessary, the President may specify a time limit for the election having regard to the actual circumstances.

20.

If the election of the Deputy Chairman is conducted at a meeting of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee shall preside at the election. If he is absent, the member who was the Deputy Chairman before the election, if any, shall preside. If no Deputy Chairman is present or if the Deputy Chairman is being nominated for the office, the member present who has the highest precedence among the members not nominated for the office shall preside.

21.

If there is only one valid nomination for the office of Deputy Chairman and the election of Chairman is held at a meeting, after the Chairman is elected, the Chairman¹ shall declare the nominee elected as Deputy Chairman. If there are two or more valid nominations for the office of Deputy Chairman, the election of the Deputy Chairman shall be conducted at a meeting of the Committee.

22.

If the election of the Deputy Chairman is conducted at a meeting of the Committee, the Chairman shall proceed straight to balloting in accordance with the procedures prescribed in paragraphs 23 to 28 below. The Chairman may deal with matters necessary for the conduct of such procedures, but he shall not hear points of order or entertain any motion including a motion to establish the manner in which the Committee wishes to proceed with the election. Nominees shall not present election platforms or answer questions from members.

23.

The Chairman shall announce a vote by secret ballot and shall order the Clerk to distribute a ballot paper to each of the members present, including the Chairman. Each nominee shall be assigned a nominee number according to the order set out in the list of valid nominations.

24.

A member present who wishes to vote shall mark on a ballot paper using a chop with a "✓" in the box opposite the nominee number of his choice, and place the ballot paper into the ballot box. Any ballot paper not marked, not properly marked or marked with a "✓" in the respective boxes opposite two or more nominee numbers shall be discarded.

25.

After all the members present who wish to vote have done so, the Clerk shall count the ballot papers in front of all the members present and report the result to the Chairman who shall check the result for confirmation. The Chairman shall invite the members making the nominations or seconding the nominations to witness the counting of votes.

26.

The Chairman shall declare elected as Deputy Chairman the nominee who receives the highest number of valid votes among all the nominees.

27.

If two or more nominees receive the same highest number of valid votes, the Chairman shall announce that lots will be drawn by him to decide how he shall give the casting vote in respect of these nominees.

28.

The Chairman shall then draw lots and give the casting vote to one of the nominees in accordance with the lot drawn, and shall forthwith declare that nominee elected as Deputy Chairman.