My Take | Legitimacy for new Hong Kong voting system must be earned
- The government and ‘patriotic’ politicians should wow voters with results and rewards, not intimidate them with more laws
The government has successfully turned back the radical tide of local democratic politics after the unprecedented social unrest of 2019.
However, it still wants the legitimacy of electoral results that comes with the ballot box, but only for candidates – the so-called patriots – who will have the government’s pre-approval.
Unfortunately, officials will find that they can’t have it both ways.
At least they have not been so foolish as to outlaw the casting of blank votes as an act of protest. Instead, a proposed offence will target those who try to manipulate, jeopardise or sabotage elections, making it punishable for a maximum of three years in jail.
That sounds fair enough; most democratic countries have similar laws. But it appears the offence may ensnare those who advocate or encourage boycotting an election or casting a blank vote.
Such activities could mean publishing or broadcasting offensive materials, wearing T-shirts printed with derogatory messages or displaying banners publicly.
Of course, those who want to protest can just not vote. Will the government then respond by making voting compulsory? Some countries do have such a law.