Hong Kong posts ‘options’ for 2017 leadership poll
Print Edition
AUTHORITIES in Hong Kong yesterday announced new proposals for how the city should choose its next leader, but made clear that candidates would still be screened.
A document, which was uploaded to the Internet to allow for public comment, outlines the options for how leadership candidates will be nominated as well as for the composition of the nominating committee.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, who presented the document to the city’s lawmakers, said the process would have to adhere to the top legislature’s ruling of vetting candidates.
“Constitutional development must be built on the basis of the Basic Law and the decision of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, otherwise it would only be futile and impractical and the aim of universal suffrage for the CE (Chief Executive) election would only become a ‘castle in the air,’” Lam said.
“Any attempt to revoke the NPC decision is unrealistic,” she said.
The Standing Committee has ruled that voters in Hong Kong can elect the city’s next chief executive in 2017 — the first time there has ever been a public vote.
But it insists that only two or three candidates can stand, and that they will be vetted by a nomination committee.
The reform process is “historic” for Hong Kong and the central government said it wants to reflect the “pluralistic” nature of Hong Kong society in the vote for the next leader.
The second round of consultation is the last official gauge of public opinion before a final proposal on electoral reform is put before the legislative council.
If the final framework fails to pass with a two-thirds majority it would mean a delay to the introduction of “universal suffrage” in Hong Kong.
Lam warned that if lawmakers fail to approve the plan, electoral reform could be postponed until 2022. A vote is expected in the spring.
“If the bill is not passed, Hong Kong’s democratic development will be delayed ... until 2022,” Lam said.
“I urge lawmakers not to boycott the consultation or veto the bill because that would deprive the public of the right vote.”
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said in a statement that to achieve genuine universal suffrage, the law must be followed.
Leung said he hopes people will express their views, and engage in rational and pragmatic discussions within the framework of the Basic Law and the decision of the NPCSC.
He also said it is better to have universal suffrage than not, and moving forward is always better than standing still, urging the Legislative Council not to indiscreetly deprive Hong Kong’s 5 million eligible voters of their opportunity to select a new chief.
He also denied media reports claiming he told the central government he wouldn’t stand for re-election.
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