Survey: Majority supports proposals
By Teddy Ng (China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2005-12-22 08:41

A recent Liberal Party telephone survey shows that the majority of the public support the government's 2007 and 2008 election reform proposals.

The survey was conducted between December 8 and 20, and included 3,000 respondents, said party Chairman James Tien at a Legislative Council debate on the government's proposed election reforms Wednesday.

It revealed that 53.6 per cent of respondents supported the government proposals, while only 23.7 per cent were against it.

Tien said other opinion polls also revealed majority support for the proposals. He also said it indicated that the public wanted to see progress on the election system issue.

"Supporting the government proposals does not necessarily go against having a road map for universal suffrage," he said.

He said legislators should respect public opinion by voting for the government proposals.

"I wonder how the opposition camp will help Hong Kong citizens fight for democracy if they vote down the government proposals," he said.

Tien also said it might not be possible for the government to come up with alternative election reform proposals.

"The Chief Executive election will be held in March 2007. Time is running out for the government to put forth a new package," he said.