The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) holds its 2003 District Council elections Sunday.

Each of the 400 constituencies in Hong Kong's 18 districts will elect one member. Together with the ex-officio members and appointed members, the elected members will form the new District Councils.

The HKSAR has 18 District Councils, with 529 members. Of those members, 400 are elected ones, 27 are ex-officio members while 120are appointed members.

Each constituency has a population around 17,000.

A District Council advises the government on the following:

-- matters affecting the well-being of people in the district;

-- the provision and use of public facilities and services within the district;

-- the adequacy and priorities of government programs for the district; and

-- the use of public funds allocated to the district for local public works and community activities as well as where funds are made available.

A District Council will also undertake environment improvements, the promotion of recreational and cultural activities and community activities.

All Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for over 7 years are eligible to register as voters.

Any registered elector aged 21 or above who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for the three years immediately before nomination may contest the election.

Voters are stipulated to cast their votes in their own constituencies where they reside while candidates for the election can compete in either his or her own constituency or another constituency.

After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong held its first District Council elections in November, 1999. The term of the District Councils is from Jan. 1, 2000 to Dec. 31, 2003.

The term of the new District Councils will start as of Jan. 1, 2004 and expire on Dec. 31, 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2003)