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The Democratic Party, the biggest pro-democracy party in the city, received its members' mandate to proceed with steps toward a potential disbandment on Sunday.

Chairman Lo Kin-hei said over 90 percent of the members who took part in the vote supported the motion to let the central committee take up the procedure toward disbandment. He said he hopes there will be a final vote in the coming months.

“Unless there is a big change, I believe this inclination will be maintained in the next general meeting,” he said, adding that the party would continue with its work until then.

The process might not finish this year, said vice chair Mok Kin-shing.

The Party, founded in 1994, had long positioned itself as a moderate pro-democracy force. Some of its former members joined the government as senior officials. Prominent party members include Martin Lee Chu-ming, Albert Ho Chun-yan, and journalist-turned-activist Emily Lau Wai-hing.

Lau and former lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming were among the members who attended Sunday's meeting. Lo said about 110 members voted in person or through proxies.

(Staff reporter and AP)

Democratic Party gets mandate to move closer to disbandment