Hong Kong (AsiaNews/SCMP) – Anson Chan Fang On-sang, former chief secretary in the last British colonial administration and the first post-reunification government, is proposing that functional constituencies representing business interests and professions, which elect half the legislature, be broadened to make them more representative before their final abolition in 2016. If adopted this would be a first step towards full democracy in the Territory.

In her proposal, functional constituencies would be regrouped ahead of next year’s Legislative Council  elections into multi-member constituencies in which legislators elected would represent the interests of not just one, but several, trade and professional groups. This would bridge narrow sectoral interests and make elected representatives accountable to the public rather than to a particular constituency.

She said preparations for change should start immediately.

“If we thought that it was not possible in 2008, then of course we would not put forth this proposal. I do not feel that the chances are low for its implementation because if everybody thought we should start taking a step forward, 2008 is the start,” she is quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post.

Under existing rules, 27 functional constituencies return one member to the Legislative Council—only the labour sector is multi-member, electing three representatives.

Under the proposals, constituencies would be regrouped into 10 multi-member constituencies next year, according to the nature of the groups' business. For example, the current insurance, finance, financial services, and information technology constituencies would become a four-member constituency.

Each voter within any of the sectors could cast one vote, and the four candidates with the most votes would be elected to the Council to represent all four groups.

The danger of any group with a large number of voters dominating those with fewer voters would be offset by broadening of the franchise.

If functional constituency seats cannot be scrapped by 2012, the 10 seats created in 2008 should be grouped into three five-member constituencies—industrial, commercial and financial; the professional sector; and labour, social services and other sectors. The other 15 functional constituency members elected in 2008 would be directly elected.

As an alternative, the current constituencies could be retained but return only 15 members in 2012 and be phased out by 2016.

However, Ma Lik, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said that the issue of electoral change in 2007 and 2008 was effectively closed.

“It's impractical to talk about changes in 2008,” he said.