Lawmakers To Be Allowed To Vote On Bills Remotely

The government has proposed allowing lawmakers to vote remotely on important matters under exceptional circumstances such as the pandemic.

Legco panels and subcommittees have been holding virtual meetings since last year, but councillors must attend full council or finance committee meetings in person.

In a bill tabled to the legislature, the government says the Basic Law doesn't ban remote voting, but there's a need to change the law so that councillors can hold meetings at places designated by the Legco president and not just in the chamber.

A paper submitted to Legco also sets out what should be classed as exceptional circumstances, including a public health emergency, or a public danger situation where use of the Legco complex is rendered impossible.

The proposed changes would also empower Legco to impose financial penalties on lawmakers who are absent from meetings without a valid reason, or who engage in gross disorderly conduct.

The legal amendments will be gazetted on Friday and tabled to Legco for the first and second readings next week.