LettersWhen Hong Kong politicians don’t care about the city, voters need a ‘none of the above’ option to dismiss them all

When the pro-Beijing bloc is a rubber stamp and the pro-democracy groups give approval to mob violence, adding a ‘NOTA’ option could not only allow voters to express disapproval, but keep undesirable candidates off the ballot

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A line of police officers rides an escalator behind a protester wearing a placard which reads: “Hong Kong is ours, save it ourselves”, ahead of Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s annual policy address on October 16, as anti-government protests entered their fifth month. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:45am, 30 Oct 2019Updated: 6:45am, 30 Oct 2019

Political standards in Hong Kong could not be murkier. On the one hand, there are pro-establishment parties who like to rubber-stamp everything the government tables and who shamelessly follow the diktat of their overlords from across the border.

On the other we have a bunch of so-called pro-democrats who have lost their conscience and probably their souls, too (“A better future for Hong Kong? Start by ending Legco chaos”, October 27). The very fact that they, instead of condemning the violence and vandalism plaguing the city, are providing tacit support to the rioters and vandals, is testament enough to their corrupted morals.

While the two camps seem to care little about Hong Kong, its residents, institutions, values and, most importantly, its future, Hong Kong has an election looming, where the silent majority is expected to choose between two evils.

The government should probably introduce, in the voting sheets, a new candidate called “NOTA”, or “none of the above”, which could ensure that the electorate come out to vote and show their displeasure with the various political camps, instead of staying at home due to a lack of viable choices.

Officials take part in a briefing session for the 2019 District Council Elections, at AsiaWorld-Expo on October 24. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

This is not a new concept. NOTA has been provided as an option to voters in India in most elections for the past several years. Through the usage of NOTA, a citizen can choose not to vote for any of the candidates contesting an election. It is a method for the public to give negative feedback.