Hong Kong aims to pilot digital proxy-voting platform by end of 2027
Hong Kong's Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Polly Ma, said the government expects to launch a pilot scheme for a technology platform to verify proxy votes in building management by the end of 2027. The move follows public consultation on amendments to the Buildings Management Ordinance.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Polly Ma, said the government expects to launch a pilot scheme for a technology platform to handle proxy voting under the Buildings Management Ordinance by the end of 2027.
Speaking on RTHK's programme Saturday Accountability, Ma said the amendment work is not easy because it involves many proposals, including not only proxy voting but also meeting procedures and the powers of the relevant authority. Many provisions need to be revised. The government is working with the Department of Justice to draft the legislation as quickly as possible and hopes to submit it to the Legislative Council soon and gain support.
Ma noted that during the public consultation some respondents expressed reservations about certain proposals and raised practical operational difficulties, such as the cap on proxy votes. If the authorities find a solution, they will continue to review the ordinance and propose further amendments at an appropriate time.
The current amendment includes a mechanism to verify the authenticity of proxy votes. Ma said the objection during consultation was not to setting a cap on proxy votes but to the difficulty management offices face in determining the order of submitted proxy votes, which often leads to disputes.
Ma said she hopes a technology platform can overcome the technical difficulties. The government aims to launch a pilot scheme before the end of 2027, allowing owners of different types of buildings – including large estates, single-block buildings and older properties – to participate. The most important thing, she said, is to ensure the verification work is effective and that those involved in illegal activities face criminal liability.