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

Hong Kong's Home Affairs Director Priscilla To Kit-lai disclosed on Saturday that the government is still deliberating on imposing restrictions on proxy voters at homeowners' meetings under new law amendments aimed at curbing bid-rigging. The proposed changes to the Building Management Ordinance seek to bolster the credibility of proxy votes amid fears of manipulation by a minority.

However, To expressed concern over the potential overstrictness of such a move, citing instances like elderly individuals living alone who may rely on friends outside their estate to assist. She provided an example of an elderly person with a familiar friend from a different housing estate helping them, which currently constitutes an acceptable practice.

The director emphasized the need to gauge public sentiment on the proposed restrictions. The proposed amendments encompass five key areas: raising attendance requirements and voting thresholds for major decisions, refining the proxy vote mechanism, optimizing declaration of interest procedures, enhancing authorities' powers, and clarifying meeting protocols.

Electronic voting was not included due to challenges in verifying identities - a significant population of property owners in Hong Kong are overseas residents without a Hong Kong ID card, thus necessitating a resolution to technical issues. The digital authentication platform, iAM Smart, is currently the government's solution to identity verification.

When queried about the government's ability to intervene directly if a management committee chairman declines to convene a meeting without valid reason, To stated that the government must weigh individual rights against public interest. Building management is the responsibility of homeowners, and property ownership is private, she said, highlighting the need to balance the power of the public.

Former Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors President Francis Lam Ka-fai cautioned that restricting proxy voting to fellow residents could adversely impact vulnerable groups, such as elderly individuals with overseas family members or business travelers abroad. He suggested mandatory hiring of lawyers by owners' corporations to act as unbiased witnesses during proxy collection to increase transparency.