Democrats Stop Short Of Voting On Legco Participation

The Democratic Party on Sunday stopped short of deciding whether it would field candidates in the Legislative Council polls in December.

Speaking after a special meeting to deliberate on the matter, the party’s chairman, Lo Kin-hei, said members decided that it’s not necessary to take a vote on the issue as no one from the party has expressed an intention to run in the elections.

He said the party would ask members who are interested in joining the polls to notify its central committee.

He said another meeting would be held if someone wants to take part in the elections.

Members would then question the candidates before deciding whether they could represent the party and run in the elections, he said.

“We will set up some mechanism for the party members to enroll or to express their intention to run for elections,” he said.

“If finally there’s someone who enrolls in the election process, we will hold another emergency general meeting to allow members a chance to question them to decide whether or not to approve them.”

Lo added that the party would not hold another meeting to discuss the matter if no one signs up for the elections.

Earlier, a former Democratic Party lawmaker, Fred Li, said he would quit the party if it chooses not to field candidates for the upcoming Legco elections and refuses to disband.

Li said a political party should join elections in order to monitor the government and represent the people -- no matter how difficult the situation is.

He said the Democratic Party will lose its basic function if it chooses not to take part in the elections and should therefore disband.