Government still weighing decision on restricting proxy voters, Hong Kong official says

Home Affairs Director Priscilla To Kit-lai revealed on Saturday that Hong Kong authorities have not yet determined whether to restrict proxy voters at homeowners' meetings to relatives or other flat owners of the same estate under proposed law amendments intended to curb bid-rigging. The amendments to the Building Management Ordinance aim to improve the legitimacy of proxy votes, as concerns exist that voting results could be manipulated by a minority.

To stressed that the government is assessing the impact of potential restrictions, as some elderly individuals living alone might rely on a familiar friend from a different housing estate to assist them in voting. This scenario would become problematic if stricter measures are implemented. During a recent independent committee hearing into the Wang Fuk Court fire, issues of building management and owner governance were scrutinized, with allegations of bid-rigging and proxy vote collection raised.

The government's proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance propose five major directions: increasing attendance requirements and voting thresholds for decisions on large-scale and high-value maintenance procurement, enhancing the proxy vote system, optimizing the declaration of interests process, strengthening authorities' powers, and clarifying meeting procedures.

Electronic voting was not included due to identity verification issues, as not all property owners in Hong Kong possess a Hong Kong identity card required for the 'iAM Smart' app, the government's digital authentication platform. To acknowledged that the government could step in to remove a management committee if its chairman fails to convene a meeting without reasonable justification, but emphasized the need to balance individual rights and public power.