Opinion | Hong Kong’s district council election results show a dire need for a swift response from Carrie Lam – to launch political reforms
- By voting overwhelmingly in favour of pro-democracy candidates, Hongkongers made clear their desire for universal suffrage and their lack of confidence in the city’s chief executive
- Carrie Lam and Beijing must urgently take steps to reform the system for electing the chief executive, making Hong Kong’s top leader accountable to the people
At the request of civil society organisations and the campaign group Stand With Hong Kong, I was in Hong Kong as part of the independent monitoring team which they had asked to observe the election.
Although we saw some infringements and irregularities, this was, by and large, a well-run, fair and free election. That citizens called for an international monitor of an election for local councils responsible for the bins, the drains and the traffic tells you a great deal.
These council elections are the only ones held in Hong Kong that are decided by the “one-person, one-vote”, first-past-the-post principle. Voters give their verdict through the ballot box: an unequivocal thumbs down to their government and a massive thumbs up to change.
They also sent a clear and courageous message to Beijing: that Hongkongers will not give up the rule of law and freedoms laid out in the “one country, two systems” arrangement.