Updates of the "Civil Referendum Project" - Website http://popvote.hkBack

The Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong (POP) and Centre for Social Policy Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (CSPS) jointly held a press conference on January 23, 2013 (Wednesday) to introduce the future development of the “PopVote Civil Referendum Project”, as well as to present the commemorative book of the "3.23 Civil Referendum” - "香港我主場" (Chinese only, "Hong Kong My Home Ground").

Future development of the "PopVote Civil Referendum"

In the press conference, POP and CSPS pledged to continue the spirit of last year's "3.23 Civil Referendum Project" by jointly developing the "PopVote Civil Referendum Project", along the principles explained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Appendix I, with the following objectives:

• To construct a sustainable "Civil Referendum Project" platform jointly conducted and executed by HKUPOP and CSPS. Both parties share equal rights to make the final decision.
• To fully enhance the e-Voting system and strengthen its operating capacity and defensive mechanism.
• To cooperate with the Information Technology (IT) sector by establishing an “IT Advisory Group of PopVote” at HKUPOP (see Appendix II) to provide comprehensive technological support for e-Voting systems.
• To cooperate actively with the local organizations in order to strengthen local network and increase manpower.

We welcome any local organizations or political leaders to make submissions to the "Civil Referendum Project". We will kick off the project immediately once the submission is accepted.

Civil participation and donation

Moreover, the 3.23 Civil Referendum commemorative book documented the course of the “3.23 Civil Referendum Project” as well as the experiences and feelings of different participants. It is now sold in major bookstores and the income earned less administrative costs will be used to develop the "PopVote Civil Referendum Project".

"PopVote Civil Referendum Project" is a self-financing project, the initial aim is to raise HKD 800,000 to construct and enhance the e-Voting system. POP will follow the guidelines laid down by the University of Hong Kong in accepting donations. Donors can choose to be named or remain "anonymous" but their names and contact information must be supplied to POP for follow up. Information collected will not be used for other purpose and will not be disclosed to any third party. We will announce the fundraising progress and details in due course.

The general public can log onto the "Donate Now" page of the "PopVote" website    (http://popvote.hk) and leave their contact information if they wish to support the project by donation. "PopVote Civil Referendum Project" is a civil activity initiated by the civil society. Opinions on the Referendum Project are welcomed.

AppendixI : MOU of "PopVote Civil Referendum"

AppendixII : Member list of “IT Advisory Group of PopVote” at HKUPOP