Pan-democrats pledge more than 290 votes for John Tsang in Hong Kong leadership race

But with only days to go, analysts did not expect the move would alter results

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(From left) Pan-democrat voters Roy Kwong Chun-yu, Dr Yeung Sum, Wu Chi-wai, Helena Wong Pik-wan and James To Kun-sun announce their choice at a press conference. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 11:23pm, 20 Mar 2017Updated: 2:27am, 21 Mar 2017

Pan-democratic members of the committee that will pick Hong Kong’s next leader gave popular underdog John Tsang Chun-wah a strong boost on Monday by promising him more than 290 ballots.

But analysts did not expect the move would help turn the tide for the former finance minister with less than a week to go before the chief executive election.

The commitment by D300+, a grouping of more than 320 pan-democrats in the 1,194-strong Election Committee, came a day after the three candidates fighting for the top job – Tsang, his arch-rival Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and former judge Woo Kwok-hing – faced off in a feisty debate in front of voters who will decide their fate this Sunday.

Chief executive candidate John Tsang Chun-wah, the popular underdog in the race, poses with supporters. Photo: Edward Wong

A spokesman for D300+, lawmaker Charles Mok, said: “Some 98 per cent of us have decided on the position. Public polls clearly show that people support John Tsang.”

The group said it expected more than 290 votes for Tsang, while some members from the legal subsector would hold their decision for a later date.

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