Hong Kong localist election candidates mount funding campaigns to keep donors anonymous
The move allows any donor who gives HK$1,000 or less to withhold their name; candidates say they manage to raise substantial sums through crowdfunding
Hong Kong’s localists are protecting the identities of their campaign donors for next month’s Legislative Council elections by urging each donation be kept under the HK$1,000 threshold.
Any donor who gives more than HK$1,000 must reveal his or her name and address. So the magic number now is 999.
By asking supporters to donate no more than HK$999 at a time, localist candidates, who have modest means, not only avoid dealing with funding declarations but also finance campaigns through crowdfunding.
While the move could deepen the suspicions of those in power towards localists, a political scientist argues the exemption for small donations is “normal” in democratic countries and protects ordinary citizens’ freedom to participate in politics.
Lau Siu-lai, a university lecturer running in Kowloon West and one of those hopefuls who have made the “HK$999” appeal, said on Wednesday she had almost met her target of raising HK$300,000 for her campaign.