Hong Kong people's attention these two days has undoubtedly been focused on the 60 lawmakers, who, after a marathon debate, will cast their vote on the government-proposed 2012 electoral reform package. Perhaps, at that moment, the Legislative Council (LegCo) would be able to open a new chapter in the SAR's constitutional history.

The 2012 electoral reform carries profound significance, as it is the relay station to universal suffrage in the 2017 chief executive election, as well as the key transition to universal suffrage in the 2020 LegCo election.

This reform package, first proposed by the government, has gone through extensive public consultation as well as the scrutiny of the LegCo Constitutional Development Task Force before being put to a vote at the Council Meeting. It is the result of the pooling of the wisdom of the entire community and is formulated with extreme prudence.

Just prior to this, the SAR government, being receptive to constructive opinions, made the decision to adopt the "one person, two votes" proposal and put it into practice through local legislation, thereby leading to the ultimate formulation of the "district council proposal".

The proposal, which is well within the framework of the Basic Law and the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC)'s related decisions, is designed to smooth the transition to universal suffrage while vastly increasing the democratic elements. Once passed by the legislature, it will lay the foundation for the gradual advancement of democracy and the realization of universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

Two days ago, a survey by the Hong Kong Research Association showed that 51 percent of respondents supported the "district council proposal", while 55 percent wanted the LegCo to endorse it.

In recent days, a great variety of opinions have been expressed over the reform issue; and the Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood have made their respective decisions on what stance they should take.

At the same time, many people have placed advertisements in the media to call upon or demand legislators to cast their votes in favor of the government's reform package.

The people have spoken loud and clear - they are eager to see the constitutional reform move one step forward. This is a clear guide for the legislators when they cast their votes.

As representatives of the people, legislators have clearly heard their voice, which must not be stifled or muffled. In order to promote democracy and to realize universal suffrage according to the timetable fixed by NPCSC, we expect the legislators to follow the people's wish and think carefully when they cast their ballots so that they can turn over a new page in Hong Kong's constitutional development.

(HK Edition 06/24/2010 page1)