Chief Executive CY Leung said today that he will work towards gaining support for political reforms from pan-democratic legislators.
Speaking ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mr Leung said changes to the electoral system are controversial no matter where they are carried out, and that lawmakers should consider the overall and long-term interest of Hong Kong.
The implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive Election in 2017 is better than maintaining the status quo, he added.
Mr Leung also hoped pan-democratic legislators could set aside their individual and party interests to support the reforms. Otherwise, he warned, five million eligible voters could lose their right to vote.