The pro-democracy camp is to set up a committee to study how to hold a community-wide poll on the issue of universal suffrage, after weeks of discussions over the feasibility of the exercise and possible hurdles.
Legislators pushing for the unofficial referendum said despite the establishment of the group - to comprise legislators, academics and community groups - they had not decided whether or how to conduct the poll.
Speaking after a meeting of pro-democracy politicians, Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, who has proposed holding a non-binding referendum on whether to introduce universal suffrage by 2007, said there was agreement on the need to prepare for the exercise.
'We will discuss plans for preliminary action and start feasibility studies when the group meets. This includes logistics, resources and how to start the campaign at the community level,' Dr Cheung said.
He said the pro-democracy camp supported 'in principle' the idea of conducting the poll and one would be held if technical difficulties could be overcome.
It is understood the organisers are trying to keep details from being publicised to avoid pressure from the government and pro-Beijing groups.
