More than a dozen pro-democracy lawmakers have said they will stay on for the Legislative Council's extended term.
The extension has been controversial as it means representatives will be serving longer than they were elected to.
The move by the pan-dems comes after a poll they commissioned to gauge public opinion was inconclusive.
Scroll down for the full script.
(Aired on ViuTVSix on 29 September 2020)
Full Script:
For many pro-democracy politicians, this was a move they feared could undermine their cause.
To leave, or to serve in the extended term of the Legislative Council.
Representatives from the Democratic, Civic, Labour and Hong Kong First parties reached their verdict today.
More than a dozen will stay on, after making what they called a "political judgement."
(Soundbite: WU CHI-WAI, Chairman, Democratic Party)
"The move is important to sustain, to continue our determination to fight against the authoritative government."
The government had delayed this year's general election because of public health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the extended term, which Beijing said last month it would allow, sparked controversy.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution says a Legco term is four years long.
An extension, some said, breached the Basic Law, and it meant lawmakers would no longer have a democratic mandate from their constituents.
A public opinion poll on the move commissioned by the pan-dems was supposed to help them make this decision.
The problem is the poll wasn't conclusive. Some 2,500 people were consulted, 740 of them who claimed to be pan-dem supporters.
Less than half of them backed lawmakers staying on, but almost the same number opposed the move.
Five pro-democracy lawmakers who didn't attend today's news briefing later announced they would also keep their seats.
Democratic Party's Wu Chi-wai said that means at least 19 pan-dems will sit in Legco for the coming year.
"We can at least have some power, some force to fight against the government, instead of giving up the whole venue to the pro-establishment camp and the government."
But not all pro-democracy lawmakers will stay.
Tanya Chan said she's resigning from her seat for the Civic Party, citing personal reasons, and a desire to spend more time with her family.
Eddie Chu and People Power's Ray Chan meanwhile wrote to the Legco Secretariat on Monday to say they would not serve beyond their original four-year terms.
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