Mini-referendum organisers add new vote question to increase public's interest

Occupy Central organisers last night added an extra question to their unofficial "referendum" next month in an effort to boost turnout and stave off accusations by moderate pan-democrats that the poll would lack credibility.

Co-organiser Dr Chan Kin-man could not confirm the wording of the question last night, but said it would "let citizens express their demand on genuine universal suffrage".

The question will focus on whether voters believe lawmakers should reject any plan for the 2017 chief executive election that does not meet international standards for democracy and that does not guarantee a choice of candidates. The wording will be confirmed tomorrow after organisers discuss it with University of Hong Kong pollsters, who are providing technical support for the June 20-22 poll.

"There are positive or negative ways to put it," Chan explained. "If the 'negative' [word] - 'veto' is used, it would be a challenge to those officials who say that Hongkongers should accept an [imperfect] reform package."

The main purpose of the vote was to allow all registered voters to choose between different models for the 2017 poll. But organisers came under fire after activists shortlisted three models under which the public could nominate candidates. Moderate pan-democrats say that disenfranchised voters wanted to avoid confrontation with Beijing, which says public nomination is against the Basic Law.

Chan said the extra question would give Hongkongers a "bigger incentive" to vote.

The move followed a call from a group of pan-democratic lawmakers, who on Sunday urged all Hongkongers to take part in the poll, even if they did not agree with the shortlisted models. They say a high turnout will send a message to Beijing: that Hong Kong wants a "truly democratic" election when the public picks the city's leader for the first time.