Public opinion for and against 2017 electoral reform too close to call, survey shows

Public opinion on the plans for electoral reform is effectively even as any difference in the rolling polls conducted by three of the city's universities falls within the latest survey's margin of error.

Of 1,130 Hongkongers questioned between May 5 and 9, those in favour of the government's blueprint stood at 42.3 per cent - the lowest since the poll was first conducted from April 23 to 27. Those opposing it reached a high of 40.3 per cent.

The gap narrowed to 2 percentage points, while the margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

In the first survey - conducted by the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University and Polytechnic University - the level of support was 46.7 per cent, with 37.6 per cent against. The gap of 9.1 percentage points widened to 13.8 points by late April.

But that has narrowed since a controversial government blitz to promote the restrictive framework imposed by Beijing.

A pro-Beijing group, the Alliance for Peace and Democracy - which led the anti-Occupy Central movement campaign - has also been under fire. It claims to have gathered more than 360,000 signatures over the weekend in favour of the reform plan, but critics say those who signed did not have to provide proof of identity, meaning they could sign repeatedly or use fake names.