Public opinion poll on democracy possible
The constitutional affairs chief yesterday said the government would not rule out conducting a public opinion poll on democratic development.
Stephen Lam Sui-lung's comments were made at a special meeting of the Legislative Council's panel on constitutional affairs, attended by 16 groups that expressed their views.
Most representatives called for expanding the 800-member Election Committee that will choose the chief executive in 2007 by methods such as including all 500-plus district councillors. They also want to increase the number of Legco seats to 70 or 80 in 2008.
But Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong, of Power for Democracy, said it was still pushing for one-man, one-vote to choose the chief executive and the legislature. 'Even if the membership of the Election Committee is raised to 1,600, it's still a small-circle election,' Mr Tsoi said.
Mr Lam said that if Legco could reach a consensus on electoral arrangements, it would be a reflection of the public's wishes. 'We will not rule out conducting a public opinion poll,' he said.
The Hong Kong Democratic Foundation suggested the committee be expanded to 6,400.
Despite announcing plans to merge last week, the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Progressive Alliance had separate proposals.
The DAB suggested expanding the Election Committee to 1,600 and increasing the number of Legco seats to 70.
The alliance proposed including all district councillors and local Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference members on the committee.
