The Constitutional Affairs Bureau urges lawmakers to respect public wishes when casting their votes on the proposed constitutional development package on December 21.

The bureau said since the release of the electoral package, opinion polls have indicated that a majority of Hong Kong people support the package.

Most citizens agree the electoral arrangements for 2007-08 should be handled separately from the issue of a timetable for universal suffrage.

In response to a lawmaker's remarks today that constitutional development could be taken forward through local legislation even if the proposed package were voted down, the bureau said such comments were misleading. 

The public certainly does not wish to lose the opportunity to make progress on the electoral arrangements in 2007 and 2008.

Noting the Government is aware of the public's aspiration for a timetable for universal suffrage, the bureau said the Commission on Strategic Development has already commenced discussion on a roadmap for universal suffrage.