2015年CRI Security Enhanced at Legco ahead of Political Reform Vote

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Jasper Tsang, Chairman of The Legislative¹ Council in Hong Kong, says tightened² security arrangements for the complex are in place to prevent clashes.

"The latest risk assessment³ by the Police indicates that there is a likelihood of the Legislative Council Complex being stormed by radical⁴ groups in the next couple of days. At the same time, it has been brought to the attention of our Secretariat that there will be large numbers of people coming from opposing political camps gathering⁵ in the precincts of the Complex."

Earlier this week, Hong Kong police uncovered an alleged⁶ bomb plot and arrested 10 people ahead of this week's Legislative Council vote on a universal suffrage⁷ package.

Following the arrest, Chief Executive CY Leung stresses that no illegal activities will be tolerated.

"I shall reiterate⁸ a position which I take, which everyone in Hong Kong should take too, and this is we don't tolerate any kind or any form of illegal activities, whether it is violent or non-violent. And we definitely should not legitimize illegal activities, whether they are non-violent or violent."

Lawmakers will begin a debate and vote starting from Wednesday on the government's electoral reforms in 2017.

Some lawmakers have repeatedly said they will veto it because they believe the reform package doesn't offer what they call "genuine democracy".

However, a recent public opinion poll shows that nearly 60 percent of respondents want the government's reform package to be passed.

It requires two thirds of the votes at the Legislative Council.

The convener of the Silent Majority of Hong Kong Robert Chow hopes lawmakers will follow the mainstream⁹ public opinion not to veto the plan.

"It is universal and obvious that over 50 percent represents the mainstream opinion in any democratic systems. If it is not majority, what is it?"

The Hong Kong government have spent the past two years trying to garner¹⁰ enough support from the public and lawmakers to realize universal suffrage in the next chief executive election in 2017, which means 5 million eligible¹¹ voters in Hong Kong will be able to choose their leader through "one person, one vote" from among the hopefuls nominated by a nominating committee.