Hong Kong holds limited elections
Election results may allow pro-democracy candidate to run for chief executive.
Published On 10 Dec 2006
The committee election process has long been criticised by democrats as most of Hong Kong’s seven million inhabitants have no involvement.
Many hope that the elections for Hong Kong’s chief executive will be more open this year as Donald Tsang, Hong Kong’s incumbent leader who is backed by Beijing, is to be opposed by pro-democracy challenger, Alan Leong.
Leong, a legislator and barrister, has admitted his chances are slim, but it would be a major achievement for him to at least get on the ballot sheet, for which he will need to reach the threshold of 100 nominations from the election committee.
Priscilla Lau, a Hong Kong deputy to China’s National People’s Congress, said: “I think Beijing is worrying about some people thinking of this time nominating Alan Leong.
“Beijing would like to show absolute support to Tsang.”
Some analysts have suggested a high voter turnout could favour the pro-democracy groups, but more than a quarter of the seats have already been returned uncontested in conservative sectors, with another 96 seats reserved for ex-officials, including Hong Kong deputies to Chinese political bodies such as the National People’s Congress.
Sung said: “At the end of the day, I think Alan may have the chance … but I’m not optimistic.”
Source: News Agencies