Civil Referendum Project 「民間全民投票計劃」

"POPVOTE Civil Referendum Project" Press Conference

Date: January 23, 2013 (Wednesday)
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Venue: Social Sciences Chamber, 11/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Speakers: Dr Robert Chung, Director of POP
Dr K.W. Chung, Director of Centre for Social Policy Studies
Mr Jazz Ma, IT Manager of POP
Mr S.C. Leung, Chairperson of Internet Society Hong Kong
Mr K.C. Wong, Chief Editor of 3.23 Civil Referendum Commemorative Book
Run-down: 1. Experience sharing of "3.23 Civil Referendum Commemorative Book"
2. Future development of the "POPVOTE Civil Referendum Project"
3. IT support and enhancements of e-Voting System
4. Questions and answers

Introduction

Civil Referendum Project (the Referendum Project) is jointly held by Public Opinion Programme, The University of Hong Kong (POP) and Centre for Social Policy Studies of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (CSPS).

POP and CSPS pledge to process the case according to the following principles and situations upon the receipt of application for Civil Referendum Project from the public, and to start the project after it is approved:

  • Start: Both non-governmental parties and political leaders can initiate a Civil Referendum Project, but the former one would be more suitable.
  • Area of content: Major events in the society or social level involving public interest.
  • Theme: The topic of referendum must be absolutely clear and not obscure in its meaning. It should avoid questions that are ambiguous, leading and allows arbitrary interpretation. It would be the best if it focuses on the split of major public opinion.
  • Voters: Generally voters have to be Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above; the referendum must conform to the principles of civil, fair, voluntary, direct and anonymous.
  • Threshold: Number of voters and the threshold of passing a motion would be decided by the initiator before the referendum.
  • Rights: The freedom to express, assemble and associate of all people should be respected during the voting.
  • Information: Ample time should be assigned to distribute or mail voting issues or related documents to voters so as to let the public have full understanding and discussion of the topic.
  • Fee: Under the "sunshine policy", all costs and expenses will be made known to the public. Applicants must pay the essential costs of the referendum project and the surplus made will be allocated for the referendum project's future development.
  • Time limit: Upon the recipient of the application, the referendum project will be normally accomplished and results to be presented within 3 months.

Civil Referendum Project is a civil activity initiated by the civil society. Opinions on the Referendum Project are welcomed. However, POP and CSPS reserves the right to make the final decision, the two organizations would also be responsible for all outcomes.