Hong Kong Votes Down Beijing-Backed Election Plan

Legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a Beijing-backed election reform proposal.

Most of the pro-government lawmakers walked out of the Legislative Council as the bill looked to be defeated.

Of the 37 lawmakers present, eight voted for the motion while 28 opposed it.

It needed at least 47 votes to pass.

The reforms would have given China the right to vet candidates in the election of the territory's leader.

The divisive plan sparked mass protests in Hong Kong with pro-democracy activists labelling it fake democracy.

The vote means Hong Kong's next chief executive will be selected, as before, by a one thousand two hundred member committee, that is currently stacked with Beijing loyalists.

BBC