Consultation on AL Election Law kicks off

The government on Saturday launched a 30-day public consultation on revisions to the Legislative Assembly (AL) Election Law. The consultation period will last until the end of June 5.
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sónia Chan, said on Friday during a press conference that the revisions are aiming to ensure “the maintenance of a just, fair and open environment for elections to that body.”
The revision proposes, among other aspects, the introduction of a scheme to monitor campaign expenses and the introduction of a ban on elected members of the Legislative Assembly holding any political position in a foreign country. The latter proposal is being seen as a way to prevent cases such as that of Pereira Coutinho, who was a candidate in latest legislative elections in Portugal while also being a lawmaker in Macau.
The revision also covers enhanced management of electoral affairs, including the appointment of the members of the relevant Electoral Affairs Commission, well in advance of each election; the appointment of a body to handle minor cases of rule infringement; and the imposition of regulations regarding campaign advertising in newspapers and on websites.
According to Sonia Chan, the suggested revisions “were based on the government’s observation of the fifth Legislative Assembly Election; the findings of a report on the election; and suggestions from the Commission Against Corruption and the Public Prosecutions Office.”