Bar chief calls for transparency over proxy votes

The chairman of the Bar Association Jose-Antonio Maurellet on Sunday said authorities should enhance transparency around proxy votes in matters related to building management. His remarks came after the government proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance to lower the risk of bid-rigging. Speaking on a TVB programme, Maurellet said authorities should consider capping the number of proxy votes per person. But he said the association had reservations about restricting proxy holder to relatives or other owners in the same estate. “We believe there are other possible ways instead of restricting who can be authorised as a proxy holder,” he said. “We think transparency should be enhanced. “For example, there can be a requirement that authorisation forms must be returned 96 hours before an owners’ meeting, and made public at an easily visible place in the building 48 hours before the meeting, showing which unit is represented by which person.” Maurellet said if an owner wishes to authorise a friend as a proxy holder instead of relatives, the decision should be respected. He also proposed to consider setting up an online voting platform to make the process more convenient for home owners. Edited by Aaron Tam

2026-10-11 17:58:00