Let public have say on political reform, urges Occupy Central organiser
Idea to gauge public opinion is suggested by Occupy Central organiser over dinner with chief executive … who fails to give any response
A core organiser of the Occupy Central democracy movement has urged the government to conduct a non-binding referendum to forge consensus on Hongkongers' ideal electoral reform proposal for 2017.
Dr Chan Kin-man, one of the three people spearheading the campaign, said he got no response from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying when he put the idea forward at a Government House dinner on Thursday night.
"Although it would be a non-binding referendum, the exercise would serve as an important reference of public opinion," Chan said on an RTHK radio programme yesterday morning.
"Even in states like Switzerland where referendums are frequently held, the government organises non-binding plebiscites to learn the public's views," said Chan, a sociologist at Chinese University. "It shows respect for procedural justice."
He added that the government would not necessarily have to follow the favoured proposal but acknowledged the "immense pressure" that would stem from the outcome.
"The government does not have to worry too much about losing though. In foreign examples, people often eventually vote for the milder electoral reform proposals instead of the radical ones," said Chan.
"Even if the government is not holding a plebiscite, Occupy Central is carrying out the exercise to obtain a mandate for the movement anyway," he added.
