Advertisement
Legislative Council elections 2016
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong localist leader could have been elected if allowed to run, survey shows

University poll reveals support for Edward Leung, while former Legco president Jasper Tsang insists it is legal to ban pro-independence candidates

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Hong Kong Indigenous' Edward Leung was projected to win 4 per cent support in New Territories East, enough to win a seat in Legco. Photo: Dickson Lee
Gary Cheung
Localist leader Edward Leung Tin-kei could have won a seat in next month’s Legislative Council elections had his candidacy not been invalidated, while the pro-establishment camp could grab three coveted “super seats”, according to a rolling survey.

The findings by the University of Hong Kong’s public opinion programme were released yesterday as outgoing Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing insisted the disqualification of six pro-independence candidates was legal even though political considerations played a part.

Jasper Tsang says the disqualification of candidates is legal. Photo: Felix Wong
Jasper Tsang says the disqualification of candidates is legal. Photo: Felix Wong
According to HKU’s opinion poll, conducted between July 30 and August 3, Leung was backed by 4 per cent of respondents in the New Territories East.
Advertisement

That would have been enough to secure a seat in the constituency for the Hong Kong Indigenous member, who was disqualified by the Electoral Affairs Commission on Tuesday.

The election watchdog made the controversial decision on the grounds that Leung had no intention of upholding the Basic Law.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x