Hong Kong to debate electoral reform

Hong Kong politicians have begun debate in advance of a vote on a controversial reform package amid protests and tensions over an alleged explosives plot.

Wednesday's vote highlights the gulf between democracy campaigners against the government after protests which saw tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets last year over the controversial electoral road map.

Although the government's reform proposal would for the first time give all residents the right to vote for the chief executive in 2017, it adheres to a Chinese government ruling that candidates must be vetted by a loyalist committee.

The plan is derided as "fake democracy" by opposition legislators, who have pledged to vote against it and deny the two-thirds majority it needs to pass.

Authorities in Hong Kong have said repeatedly that they cannot diverge from Beijing's August ruling, which prompted weeks of mass rallies that brought parts of Hong Kong to a standstill.

The bill goes before legislators for debate on Wednesday afternoon, with the vote expected to take place by Friday.