Occupy-style public vote on universal suffrage to be held in Macau
After massive protests in May against pensions for officials, public will be asked about 'one man, one vote' and whether they have confidence in city's leader
On the heels of Hong Kong’s unofficial referendum on reform last month which drew almost 800,000 voters, a similar citywide poll is being planned for Macau ahead of the election next month of its chief executive.
Residents will be asked only two questions in the seven-day poll from August 24 to 30.
First, whether universal suffrage should be implemented by 2019 in Macau, and second, if they have confidence in the so-far unchallenged incumbent chief executive Dr Fernando Chui Sai-on.
If a challenger surfaces, however, the second question will expand to ask voters their choice of candidate for the August 31 election.
“It would be the very first referendum in Macau targeting the chief executive election,” Sulu Sou Ka-hou, of Macau Conscience which initiated the poll, told the South China Morning Post on Monday.
“We hope to create a drastic and sharp contrast between the polling results of the 400-strong election committee and the public.”