A constitutional reform plan reportedly being considered by the government is designed exclusively to help pro-government parties gain more seats in the legislature, pro-democracy groups say.
While declining to confirm the reform plan, a government spokeswoman said a final draft was still being looked at and all options would be considered.
It was reported yesterday that Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan had told politicians of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong that five extra seats were planned for the Legislative Council functional constituency in the 2008 election - to be taken by district councillors.
Under the plan, all 500 councillors in the 18 districts also would be added to the Election Committee to select the chief executive in 2007.
Albert Ho Chun-yan, vice-chairman of the Democratic Party, said such a plan, if true, would not be an improvement on the existing system, which critics say is a 'small-circle' election.
'This is designed exclusively for the DAB, because at present one-fourth of district councillors are appointed by the government, most are pro-government figures. How can we support this plan?' he said.
