Hong Kong proposes stricter checks on proxy voting in building management overhaul
Hong Kong's government has proposed tighter verification of proxy votes in building management to prevent abuse and forgery, following a public consultation that drew over 500 responses. The measure, part of amendments to the Buildings Management Ordinance, addresses concerns over implementation dif
Hong Kong's government has proposed stricter verification of proxy votes in building management to prevent abuse and forgery, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Tsin Man-ying said on 7 November.
The proposal forms part of amendments to the Buildings Management Ordinance, which underwent a public consultation. Over 500 responses were received, with more than half expressing reservations about setting a cap on proxy votes, Tsin said. Property management professionals cited practical difficulties, such as owners' corporations being unable to determine the order in which surplus proxies were submitted.
Tsin stressed that the concerns did not oppose the amendment's spirit but focused on operational challenges. The government will continue studying how to implement the direction and will use technology, including developing electronic proxy voting procedures, she added.
To ensure proxy votes are not abused or forged, the government suggests enhancing verification by requiring both the authoriser and authorised person to sign the proxy form, provide contact details, and make a declaration acknowledging relevant legal responsibilities.
Separately, Tsin was asked about Yee Lok Garden in Tuen Mun and Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both of which have major renovation works carried out by Wang Yip Engineering Construction Co. Some Yee Lok Garden owners expressed concerns about whether the government would intervene if the contractor were wound up. Tsin said the government adopts a "zero tolerance" attitude towards bad actors infiltrating estate renovation projects and undermining owners' interests, and will enforce the law decisively. She noted that a building management task force has been set up to support estates through legal channels and existing systems, using district-level resources to protect small owners' rights.