A no-brainer

The race for the chief executive post has shifted into a higher gear following the election of the members for the Election Committee.

The big surprise of late came from lawmaker and former chairman of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Frederick Fung Kin-kee, who announced this month that he would also join the race. As pro-democracy supporters managed only to win some 200 seats on the committee - enough to nominate one candidate - it has precipitated a split between the ADPL and the Democratic Party, which has proposed that its chairman, Albert Ho Chun-yan, should stand. Previously, such a matter would have been settled behind closed doors. But this time the pan-democrats decided to make more news by holding a so-called 'primary' on January 8 in 60 'polling stations' across Hong Kong.

This comes as a surprise, because the only reason the pan-democrats would participate in what they call a 'small-circle election' is to make a political statement - to discredit it. Since Ho, representing the largest party in the camp, has already volunteered, that purpose will already be served. So Fung's sudden jump into the fray makes no sense.

It seems politicians will take any opportunity for publicity - and, in this case, everything should be put to a public vote. But who cares? The pan-democrats are in for another disappointing turnout for this sham primary after their staged 'referendum' last year.