Majority think Hong Kong elections unlikely: Poll

The Hong Kong University Public Opinion Poll has revealed that two-thirds of Hong Kong people support the call of local democrats for full elections in three years, but few expect they will actually materialise.

The poll shows that backing for elections by 2007, as urged by the opposition Democratic Party, has dropped since a row over the timing of democratic reform erupted two months ago.

The figures are likely to disappoint both democrats - who appear to be losing support - and opponents to reform, who still make up a small minority.

The poll, taken in the second week of March, showed that 62% of respondents were in favor of elections for the city's chief executive, and those against totalled 19%.

Democrats say a 2007 vote is enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution that came into force at the hand-over of rule from Britain to China in 1997.

Opponents, supported by the Beijing leadership, say this date is too soon and that change must happen gradually, if ever.

Since the last poll in early January, support for elections slipped 7% points and the proportion of respondents who think an election is unlikely rose 10% to 61%.

Consequently, those who think an election will actually take place has slipped 6% points to 19%.