My Take | Eddie Chu already proved his eligibility
- As Chu qualified as a Legco lawmaker, it is bizarre that he has been asked to provide additional information to determine the validity of his nomination for a rural election
- He has been a thorn in the side of powerful rural individuals, so it may be relevant to ask whether the returning officer has been unduly influenced
If Eddie Chu Hoi-dick qualified as a lawmaker in the Legislative Council, then clearly he should be able to run in a rural election.
It is, therefore, bizarre that a returning election officer has asked him to provide additional information to determine the validity of his nomination, such as whether he supports or opposes Hong Kong independence.
He plans to run in the coming rural representative election for the non-indigenous villagers’ head post at Yuen Kong Sun Tsuen, in Yuen Long.
Here’s the thing: if he is deemed unqualified because he is a closet secessionist, then he should be disqualified, first and foremost, as a legislator, not just as a rural candidate. But since his oath of office in Legco has been legally accepted and his constitutional allegiance to the Basic Law upheld, there should be no questions about his qualification to run in a rural election.
The Home Affairs Department said the officer had the legal rights to demand such additional information from potential candidates. Yes, but does it make any sense to do so in his case?
Imagine this absurd situation: barring Chu from running in a rural election while he remains a legislator.