Retiring officials allowed to stand for election; change 'made for' Fanny Law
The government has lifted a long-standing ban against retiring civil servants running in the National People's Congress (NPC) elections.
The change, promulgated just three days before nominations begin today, has been criticised as being tailor-made for Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, who left the Independent Commission Against Corruption less than seven months ago.
But staff representatives hailed it as long overdue recognition of their political rights and capacity to contribute to the nation's development.
At present, four staff categories are barred from standing or electioneering in local elections. These are directorate officials, administrative officers, police and information officers. The government says they are susceptible to accusations of bias because of the nature of their duties.
In a circular issued to top civil servants on Wednesday, the Civil Service Bureau announced a 'revised arrangement' for the NPC elections.