Hong Kong unveils final package of political reform proposals

<Photo=Felix, HongKong>

[Asia N=Rahul Aijaz] Hong Kong government is set to reveal its final package of political reform proposals From 11 AM today, SCMP reported.  Chief Secretary Carrie Lam will address a divided Legislative Council disclosing the most anticipated and high controversial blueprint for the 2017 chief executive election. The blueprint is based on a restrictive framework imposed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee last August.

Considering the leaks to media over the past couple of weeks, the proposal is expected to irk pan democratic legislators as the package will allow the public to vote for only two to three chief executive candidates who secure majority support from 1200 strong nominating committee. This is enough to effectively screen out hopefuls who are against the central government.

While Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his ministers insist on giving Hong Kongers the opportunity to elect their own leader for the first time through the package, opposition lawmakers are insisting that accepting the framework would mean endorsing a “fake universal suffrage”. Pan democrats have vowed to veto the proposal when the government approaches the Legislative Council this summer for formal approval.

Both sides are refusing to budge from the positions and are planning publicity drives to pressurize each other’s stances (and gain public support) after today’s unveiling. The stage is set for a big showdown on the streets of Hong Kong as the two sides come to win Hong Kongers’ support.