Little sign of consensus on 2017 election: SCMP Debate
Politicians and academics are split over how to nominate the chief executive, even when the divisive issue of public nomination is ignored
The politicians and academics invited to express their views were split on key matters related to the nominating committee that will be formed to name candidates to run in 2017.
Divisions included how to reform the election committee that selected the current chief executive, whether members should be popularly elected, and the threshold for candidature.
Academic Brian Fong Chi-hang said corporate votes on the election committee should be replaced by individual votes. Ray Yep Kin-man, a professor of political science at City University, agreed. While neither advocated giving the public a right to nominate directly - an idea rejected by Beijing - both proposed public recommendation.
Yep said: "The inclusion of the element of civic nomination is ... a gesture of respect for the citizen's right in the process, but the number of voters required is open for discussion."
READ: SCMP Debate - How could the chief executive nominating committee be more representative?
Fong wanted would-be candidates to first gain support from 2 per cent of the registered voting population of Legco direct elections, before seeking support in the committee.