The Legislative Council by-elections that result from the resignations of five opposition lawmakers will cost about HK$159 million, the government said yesterday.

A number of pro-establishment lawmakers have voiced their objection to the funding for the by-elections, which, they maintain, are being exploited by the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats as a "referendum and uprising" campaign.

To ensure passage of the funding, the government will include such an expenditure in the 2010-11 budget that will be delivered on February 24.

This makes it very difficult for lawmakers to veto the funding, for if they do, they will have to veto the entire budget. If they wish to single out and veto the by-election funding, the motion needs to be passed by legislators from both the geographical and functional constituencies.

The LegCo Panel on Constitutional Affairs will discuss the funding proposal on Wednesday.

(HK Edition 02/05/2010 page1)