Should pan-democrat lawmakers go ahead with their resignations in five geographical constituencies to spark a city-wide de facto referendum on universal suffrage, their absence would come during the quietest part of the legislative year, avoiding any voting on important bills and policies.
Civic Party vice-chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit, who will have to step down from his Kowloon East seat to spark a by-election there, said his biggest concern was being re-elected in time for the debate and vote on political reform. However, he did not think his possible absence would affect Legco business.
'Of course, there are still panel meetings and the scrutiny of bills, and we will have to rely on my party colleagues to work extra hard on that front,' Leong said.
Among the bills currently being scrutinised are the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, the Public Officers Pay Adjustment Bill and the Minimum Wage Bill. Both the Domestic Violence Bill and the Public Officers Pay Adjustment Bill are due to be voted on by the middle of next month, before any possible resignations.
However, any delays in either the resignations or the preparation period for the by-elections could result in the lawmakers missing a vote on the Minimum Wage Bill towards the end of this Legco session.
Pan-democrats along with four other unionists would ordinarily have a significant block of 27 votes.
