Hong Kong democracy activist Edward Yiu cleared to run in Legco by-election

Favoured candidate of pro-democracy camp set for comeback bid in Kowloon West constituency

Reading Time:2 minutes

Edward Yiu (left) and disqualified Hong Kong Island candidate Agnes Chow Ting attend a rally outside government headquarters in Tamar on Sunday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 4:30pm, 29 Jan 2018Updated: 4:27pm, 20 Feb 2018

Democracy activist Edward Yiu Chung-yim was given the go-ahead by the government to run in Hong Kong’s coming legislative by-election hours before the closing of nominations on Monday, in what was considered by many to be a narrow escape for the former lawmaker.

The news came two days after local election authorities sparked a political storm by disqualifying 21-year-old democracy activist Agnes Chow Ting from the same poll on the grounds that her party, Demosisto, had called for the city’s “self-determination” from Beijing’s rule, rendering her ineligible under restrictions to curb independence advocacy.

After the ban on Chow, Yiu had on Saturday accused officials of depriving Hongkongers of their right to stand for election.

No grounds to ban any more Legco candidates, Hong Kong lawyers say after activist’s ban

Yiu had signed up to run for the Kowloon West constituency in the March race.

Last Friday, he was contacted by a returning officer from the city’s electoral authority and asked four questions, including whether he would sincerely uphold the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. He was also asked if he accepted Beijing’s ruling on oaths of office for the city’s lawmakers, which effectively led to his disqualification last year.

Yiu answered yes to both questions but asked how they were connected to the consideration of his candidacy.

Edward Yiu waits to speak on stage during a protest outside government headquarters. Photo: AFP

The pro-democracy camp on Monday afternoon arranged for backup candidate Ramon Yuen Hoi-man to apply for the by-election when Yiu’s candidacy was not confirmed by noon.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x