THE democratic camp achieved a huge victory over the pro-government

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) party, in

the District Council elections. And political analysts have said that

it is a clear sign to the government that there needs to be a

constitutional change.

This year, the election had a record high turnout, as 1.065 million

out of the 2,418 million registered voters took the time to cast their

votes.

The turnout has accounted for a 44.06 per cent of the registered

electorate, compared with 35.82 per cent (a turnout of 816,503) in

the 1999 District Council elections.

"The historical mass demonstration held on July 1 and the public's

widespread discontent with the government, caused more voters to

support democratic candidates, which dealt a severe blow to the

pro-government DAB," political analyst and Lingnan University

associate professor, Li Pang-kwong said.

"Although the District Council plays a minor role in the governments'

decision-making process for creating policy, most voters took part in

the elections to express their desire for full democracy," he said.

The election battle included 400 seats among 18 districts. The

pro-democratic camp, including the Democratic Party and the Frontier,

won 150 seats, the biggest number of seats won by the camp in history,

while 205 DAB candidates secured only 62 seats. The remaining 188

seats were won by other political parties, including the Liberal

Party, and independent candidates.

"This is a huge and triumphant moment in our history, and the

government should carry out a constitutional review for the direct

election of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council members

immediately," Frontier member Cyd Ho said. Ms Ho defeated DAB

vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him.

"We are hoping to win all 30 seats in the 2007 Legislative Council

election," Democratic Party chairman Yeung Sum said.

DAB chairman Tsang Yok-sing announced his resignation after learning

of the party's defeat.

"I believe the party needs to evaluate its policy and make a stronger

effort to build strong relationships with citizens," he said.

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