The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau has called on the community to adopt an open and accommodating attitude to roll forward democracy in Hong Kong.

Responding to processions and public meetings today, the bureau said the Government is sincere in listening to views on how to further democratise the electoral methods for 2012. It said it respects people's right to take part in processions and to express their views, and appreciates their aspiration for universal suffrage.

It said discussions on the two electoral methods for 2012 must be based on the decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in December 2007. Its decision made it clear universal suffrage will not be implemented in 2012. The decision is a constitutional one which cannot be amended lightly.

On calls for putting forth electoral models for universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020, it said it is beyond what the current-term Government has been authorised to deal with. The bureau said the task of the current Government is to determine the two electoral methods for 2012 by injecting new democratic elements to pave way for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council in 2017 and 2020.

However, the Government will summarise and conclude any views relating to universal suffrage received during the public consultation. These will serve as a reference for the Government to be formed in 2012 and 2017 for dealing with the issue of universal suffrage.