The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) welcomes the decision of the judicial review on the voting rights of non-indigenous villagers in the New Territories.

Commenting on the Judicial Review, the Chairperson of the EOC, Dr. Fanny Mui-ching Cheung said, "We applaud the ruling of the Court prohibiting sex discrimination in rural elections."

Dr. Cheung reminded the Heung Yee Kuk and all Rural Committees that Section 35 of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) requires equal treatment for males and females regarding eligibility to vote for and to be elected or appointed to relevant bodies. This includes positions of village representative and member or office-holder of a Rural Committee within the meaning of the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance.

"We have already written to the Heung Yee Kuk and all Rural Committees explaining the relevant legislative provision. The EOC will follow up the matter with the Home Affairs Department to ensure that voting rules and practices used by villages in the New Territories are in compliance with the SDO," said Dr. Cheung.

Enquiry: EOC Hotline       25118211