Letters | Voting from China: why Hong Kong government must not bypass the people again

As a Hong Kong resident, I hold a firm belief that the government should not allow voting in the mainland for elections to the city legislature. This approach is ostensibly aimed at helping Hong Kong people on the mainland to exercise their voting rights, especially under travel restrictions such as those caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, any amendment to the electoral laws would be a permanent measure. The government should not just consider the convenience of those across the border while ignoring the long-term effects brought about by this adjustment. It should examine all the details exhaustively, and not skip the public consultation either.

Expanding voting rights for Hong Kong people on the mainland without engaging the public here may even trigger another round of political turmoil. As the proposed amendment law is significant for our electoral system, Hong Kong people may think their voices are not being respected by the government. If the government wilfully persists with the proposal, public distrust will deepen. I think the government should learn from the mistakes of last year’s political turmoil. Otherwise, another massive anti-government protest could happen again and be even more tumultuous than last year’s.

To conclude, whether Hong Kong’s electoral laws are changed or not, at least the government should not skip the public consultation. I wish the government would take into account the long-term impacts of such an amendment without letting people voice their opinion, especially the erosion of public trust and confidence.

Sheryl Cheung, Kwai Chung