Open debates are an important part of the electoral process. They provide an opportunity for candidates to win voter support by explaining their platforms and putting their rivals to the test. Regrettably, the campaign for the city's next leader has been overshadowed by a litany of scandals surrounding the two front runners. There is a danger that meaningful debate is being replaced by ugly mud-slinging. As the balloting draws near, it is necessary to re-anchor the focus on the candidates' visions and promises, and to engage the community in a wider debate on their policy blueprints.
Since contestants have yet to face each other, the South China Morning Post has led a public debate on the concrete issues that the new chief executive should tackle in the next five years. At our urging they have elucidated their position on six specific questions: what they intend to do on their first day in office, and their positions on international schools, air pollution, land supply, fiscal reserves and universal suffrage. To gauge community feedback, we ask readers to evaluate their answers on our Facebook page.
Universal suffrage will not be implemented until 2017, but gradually we have established a practice of holding open debates in which candidates face off against each other. Many such forums have been held during the Legislative Council elections in the past. The tradition was strengthened by the unprecedented televised debate between Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and pan-democrat challenger Alan Leong Kah-kit in the 2007 chief executive race.
In the coming weeks, Henry Tang Ying-yen is likely to face further attacks over the illegally built underground palace at his Kowloon Tong residence. Likewise, the alleged conflict-of-interest affair in which Leung Chun-ying was accused of favouring a business partner in the West Kowloon Cultural District design competition may also continue. But beyond the scandals there is a need to thoroughly debate what Hong Kong needs and what solutions are being offered.
Candidates should put themselves up for public scrutiny, and explain how they are going to achieve their platforms. This is an important process as the city moves towards one person, one vote.
The chief executive polls will move to the next stage when the nomination process closes today.