Source:
https://scmp.com/article/651699/no-excuse-not-voting-citys-future-stake

No excuse for not voting with city's future at stake

The lead-up to the Legislative Council election today does not appear to have generated much enthusiasm. The performance of many candidates at election forums has been lacklustre, and compared to previous Legco elections the political climate is calm. There is no burning issue. But it would be a mistake to think that the stakes in today's polls are low.

Lawmakers elected today will be responsible for vetting and approving constitutional changes to be introduced for the election of the chief executive and the legislature in 2012. These interim, but important changes will pave the way to universal suffrage, which the central government has promised for the chief executive's election in 2017 and said may be introduced in 2020 for Legco elections. Though the dates for full democracy set out by Beijing are welcome, the most serious work lies ahead. The newly elected legislators will have an onerous responsibility to realise the community's aspiration for universal suffrage and shape the new system.