(3) The Commission may, where it considers it appropriate, make available for inspection under subsection (1), a description of any boundary shown on a map or maps exhibited under that subsection.
(4) Any person may make representations to the Commission regarding the proposed recommendations within the period of 30 days beginning on the date a notice under subsection (2) is published in the Gazette.
(5) Representations for the purposes of this section may be made in writing (including by facsimile transmission) or at any meeting held under subsection (6).
(6) The Commission may hold meetings for the purpose of receiving representations under this section and any such meeting shall be open to the public except where the Commission considers it desirable that the meeting should not be open to the public.
(7) The Commission—
- (a) shall notify the public in such manner as it thinks fit, of the date, time and place of a meeting to be held under subsection (6); and
- (b) may adopt such procedures as it thinks fit in respect of such a meeting.
(8) The Commission shall have regard to any representations made under this section when making recommendations under section 18.
(9) In their application to the first provisional recommendations made after the commencement of this section, subsections (1) and (4) shall be read as if—
- (a) a reference to 14 days were substituted for the reference to 30 days in subsection (1); and
- (b) a reference to not less than 14 days were substituted for the reference to 30 days in subsection (4).
20. Criteria for making recommendations
(1) In making recommendations for the purposes of this Part, the Commission shall—
- (a) ensure that the extent of each proposed geographical constituency is such that the population in that constituency is as near as is practicable to the number which results (“the resulting number”) when the population quota is multiplied by the number of members to be returned to the Legislative Council by that geographical constituency pursuant to any electoral law;
- (b) where it is not practicable to comply with paragraph (a) in respect of a proposed geographical constituency, ensure that the extent of the constituency is such that the population in that constituency does not exceed or fall short of the resulting number applicable to that constituency, by more than 15% thereof.
