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Hong Kong protesters scrap poll on what to do next

HONG KONG — An electronic ballot to determine the way forward for the Occupy Central movement was unexpectedly cancelled today (Oct 26) hours before voting was due to start, with leaders of the movement saying they hadn’t properly consulted with the demonstrators before calling the referendum.

A man takes a rest in front of a barricade on a main road in the occupied area of the Mong Kok district Hong Kong, Oct 25, 2014. Photo: AP

A man takes a rest in front of a barricade on a main road in the occupied area of the Mong Kok district Hong Kong, Oct 25, 2014. Photo: AP

HONG KONG — An electronic ballot to determine the way forward for the Occupy Central movement was unexpectedly cancelled today (Oct 26) hours before voting was due to start, with leaders of the movement saying they hadn’t properly consulted with the demonstrators before calling the referendum.

The two-day vote, which had been scheduled for today and tomorrow, was supposed to have gauged the protesters’ support for counterproposals to offers made by Hong Kong’s government following talks last week between student protest leaders and authorities.

The government offered to submit a report to Beijing noting the protesters’ unhappiness with a decision to have an appointed committee screen candidates for the semiautonomous city’s leader, known as the chief executive. Protesters are demanding open nominations for chief executive in the city’s inaugural direct election, promised for 2017.

But the movement said there were too many different views among supporters on the voting issues and validity of the poll, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

“We admit that we have not had enough discussion with the people before deciding to go ahead with the vote and we must apologise to the public,” the protest leaders said in a statement.

They also cited “differing opinions regarding the format, motions and effectiveness” of the referendum.

“We urge the public to visit the Umbrella campaign’s three sites and to discuss the future of the Occupy movement today, including what formats should be used to gather the views of the public so that we can fight for true democracy.”

Two student groups – the Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism – and the activist group Occupy Central With Peace and Love had called for the referendum on Friday.

The vote would have asked the protesters whether they supported having the government’s report ask Beijing to consider open nominations for 2017 election candidates. The government had also made a vague offer for dialogue with the protesters, and the vote would have gauged support for ensuring it covered reforming Hong Kong’s legislature.

The groups behind the referendum had called for voting to be held only at the main downtown protest site, upsetting demonstrators at two other occupation sites located elsewhere in Hong Kong.

The protesters are facing growing pressure, with the demonstrations, which began Sept 28, stretching into their second month and no sign of concession from the government.

Although thousands of people remain camped out at the main protest site, demonstrators said this past week that they did not see any resolution in sight.

“I think we should think about our plan and think about whether to retreat,” protester Jo Tai said today. “We can’t occupy the streets with no time limitations.”

The poll would have been the first potentially constructive response from the protesters after the student leaders emerged from the talks disappointed. They had planned to hand the results to the government on Monday.

Sources: AP, South China Morning Post

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