Some moderate pan-democrats have proposed allowing the public to elect district council sector lawmakers in 2012. However, Li Gang, a Beijing representative in Hong Kong, said on Wednesday that the suggestion was inconsistent with the legislative intent of the Basic Law regarding functional constituencies.

Ms Leung, who's also the deputy chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee said she agreed with Mr Li.

She said the proposal would also be inconsistent with the decision by the National People's Congress Standing Committee in 2007, which said the 50-50 ratio of directly elected and functional constituency seats in Legco should remain in 2012.