Changes for the colony

THREE elections are due in Hong Kong before China takes over in 1997. The first, in autumn next year, is for the colony's 19 district boards. In spring 1995 the two municipal councils are to be elected. The Urban Council covers Hong Kong island and Kowloon and the Regional Council the New Territories. The autumn 1995 poll for the Legislative Council, the main representative body, is the most controversial.

Mr Patten announced three proposals yesterday. Reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 will add roughly 240,000 eligible people to the existing 3.7 million. The second change is for all local councillors to be elected - at present about one-third of District Board members and two-thirds of municipal councillors are appointed. Finally, Mr Patten wants all Legislative Council constituencies to be 'single-seat single-vote'. Some currently have two members, and residents in them have two votes.