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Analysis | Occupy Central pleases no one with decision to widen ballot on chief executive vote reforms

Organisers of movement were trying to boost turnout for the 'referendum' by adding another question; instead, they've turned voters away

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Occupy Central founders Reverend Chu Yiu-ming (left), Dr Chan Kin-man and Benny Tai. Photo: May Tse

Occupy Central organiser Benny Tai Yiu-ting said last month that he and his fellow activists would not change or add questions to the ballot to be held this month to determine the public's preference for electoral reform.

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"We may not be able to quantify popular support for moderate proposals … but we will not change the set-up of the civil referendum," the University of Hong Kong legal academic told the .

Tai was speaking amid criticism that the three proposals shortlisted for the ballot were on the radical end of the political spectrum when it came to choosing candidates for the 2017 chief executive election.

But how things have changed in barely a month.

Ostensibly to boost turnout, the trio spearheading the civil disobedience movement - Tai, Chinese University sociologist Dr Chan Kin-man and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming - said last week that another question would be added to the ballot.

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The question would be: Should the Legislative Council veto the government's proposal if it does not "satisfy international standards allowing genuine choices by electors"?

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