| Response to Dr Hon Yeung Sum's remarks on CE election |
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Commenting on the remarks made by Dr Hon Yeung Sum on the upcoming Chief Executive election in his "Letter to Hong Kong" broadcast on RTHK today (October 29), a Government spokesman said that Hong Kong's elections had a fine tradition of being open, fair and clean.
The spokesman said that the Chief Executive election in March next year would be held in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant electoral legislation, and in an open and fair manner. "Anyone interested to take part in the election may do so in accordance with the law," he said. The spokesman added that both the Central Authorities and the Government were fully committed to taking forward Hong Kong's constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law, with a view to achieving the ultimate aim of universal suffrage. "In November last year, the Chief Executive initiated the discussion on formulating a roadmap for universal suffrage through the Commission on Strategic Development. The discussion is progressing well," he said. The spokesman said that, in May, the Commission concluded discussions on the principles and concepts relating to universal suffrage. The Commission was now focusing on the discussion of possible models for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council. "The Government will publish a report to draw conclusions on the discussion of the Commission during the first half of 2007, and will submit the report to the Central Authorities. "We hope that the report will provide a basis for the Government to continue to take forward our constitutional development during the next term," said the spokesman. Ends/Sunday, October 29, 2006 |