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Did localist lawmakers in oaths row make false statements of loyalty in election pledges?

Grenville Cross says the city’s justice chief must examine whether the duo’s actions in the chamber indicate they made false declarations in their nomination forms, which is a punishable offence

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Grenville Cross says the city’s justice chief must examine whether the duo’s actions in the chamber indicate they made false declarations in their nomination forms, which is a punishable offence

To stand in Legislative Council elections, candidates are required, under the Legislative Council Ordinance (section 40), to provide the returning officer with a “nomination form”, in which they declare that they will “uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.

Moreover, having made that declaration, a candidate is then supposed, under the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, to sign a “confirmation form”, which, having reminded the candidate of the original declaration, spells out exactly what is meant by upholding the Basic Law, by reference to specific articles thereof.

This, presumably, is for the purposes of ensuring that, before the candidate signs, he or she fully appreciates what is being signed up to.

Sixtus Leung holds up a copy of the Legislative Council “Rules of Procedure” as he stands in the chamber with Yau Wai-ching after the pair forced their way in with opposition lawmakers on October 26. Photo: EPA
Sixtus Leung holds up a copy of the Legislative Council “Rules of Procedure” as he stands in the chamber with Yau Wai-ching after the pair forced their way in with opposition lawmakers on October 26. Photo: EPA

Legco drama rages on: meeting adjourned after Hong Kong localists enter to defy oaths ban

The confirmation form reminds the candidate that Article 1 of the Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong “is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China”.

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