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No political parties will be prevented from  contesting the 2007 poll, says Stephen Lam

The secretary for constitutional affairs yesterday vowed not to 'screen out' any political party from the 2007 election of the next chief executive.

Stephen Lam  Sui-lung  told the Justice Forum that it was 'necessary, desirable and essential' to work with all political parties and independent lawmakers to map out the way ahead for constitutional reform.

He also said  political parties could play  a greater role  in Hong Kong's public affairs and political development in the long run if the government enabled them  to take part in electoral politics.

Mr Lam was responding to concerns raised by speakers at the forum that the future method for choosing the chief executive might prevent  democrats  from contesting the post.

Chinese University professor Michael Davis, a human rights and constitutional law specialist, said the government should address two issues when dealing with constitutional reform.

These were whether it would propose drastic reform  and whether it would support a model that would allow democrats to run for chief executive.

He said some people might argue that the central government did not want to see democrats running in the election, but it would be the obligation of the Hong Kong government to help  Beijing   understand the importance of the issue.

Participants criticised the existing Chief Executive Election Bill  passed in 2001, which  requires  a person selected as chief executive to quit membership of a political party.  They said this had stifled the growth of political parties.

But Mr Lam said the bill was aimed at making the chief executive rise above politics.

The Frontier's Emily Lau Wai-hing  criticised the government for failing to share power with political parties. 'If the chief executive doesn't have sufficient support in the legislature, how can they govern?'  she said.

Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong chairman Tsang Yok-sing  also said the next chief executive should come from a political party.

With only three years left for the election of the next chief executive, pro-democracy campaigners and lawmakers have urged the government to start consultation on constitutional reform as soon as possible.

Independent lawmaker Audrey Eu Yuet-mee  stressed that 'time is of the essence'. She said a consensus should be reached on the selection of the next chief executive before the Legislative Council elections in September next year, as the support of two-thirds of the legislature was necessary  for any  change.

The approval of the chief executive and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress should be sought following Legco's support.

In response to their concerns, Mr Lam reiterated that the government would start listening to public views early next year, while details of the consultation  timetable would be disclosed before the end of this year.

The legislative process for any change in the election method was expected to be conducted in 2006, he said.

Ms Lau asked: 'When will the legislative process end?'

She said candidates should start campaigning in March 2006 for the post of chief executive as it was necessary that the election campaign  last  for at least a year.



Chief executive election 'open to democrats'