RTHK Radio NewsThe government is proposing to abolish by-elections in geographical constituencies - following controversy over the resignation of five pan-democracy councillors last year. They stepped down to force by-elections that they saw as a referendum on full democracy.
But the government and its supporters criticised the move, calling it a massive waste of money. Now the administration says any legislator who dies, resigns or is disqualified should be replaced by the next-highest vote-getter in the last election -- who will probably not be from the same party.
This arrangement would also apply to the five members returned from so-called super district council seats. However, by-elections would still be held to fill vacancies from traditional functional constituencies.
Another step forward on the road to democracy...