Hong Kong set for controversial election reform proposal

Hong Kong's government is set to reveal a political reform proposal for choosing its next leader including, for the first time, a public vote.

However, the electoral blueprint is expected to comply with guidelines from China's legislature that candidates for the 2017 election will be screened.

Democracy activists say that means the elections will not be fully democratic.

When the guidelines were announced last August it sparked weeks of street protest and some violent clashes.

Set by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), they state that candidates hoping to run must first be voted for by members of the largely pro-Beijing nominating committee.

The candidates that make it through will then run for election by the general population of more than five million eligible voters.


Pro-democracy protesters say this process allows Beijing to eliminate unwanted candidates and does not amount to universal suffrage.

Thousands of people barricaded parts of Hong Kong for more than two months in protest when the guidelines were first announced.

But China has repeatedly made it clear that no concessions will be given. In December, Hong Kong police dismantled the protest camps.

'Two systems'Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's second highest government official, will announce the proposal on Wednesday.

It is due to be voted on in the legislature in the summer, but opposition democrats have vowed to veto it.

China governs Hong Kong, a former British colony, under the "one country, two systems" principle.

The system has allowed the city a high degree of autonomy and civil rights, including freedom of assembly and free speech.

Its leader, the chief executive, is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee.

Hong Kong's mini-constitution says the ultimate aim is to elect the chief executive "by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee".