Cheung Chau resident seeks judicial review over Hong Kong election disqualification powers

A Cheung Chau resident known for his track record of legal challenges against the government argued in his latest bid for a judicial review that the Electoral Affairs Commission had applied double standards in allowing pro-establishment heavyweight Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee to run, but not supporters of Hong Kong independence.

Former civil servant Kwok Cheuk-kin wrote in the writ he filed on Friday that Ip, who was director of immigration in the sunset years of colonial rule, once swore allegiance to the British government.

He argued that it could mean Ip, who has been given the green light to run for a seat on Hong Kong Island, would not be upholding the values of the People’s Republic.

The legal challenge follows controversy over the statutory role of the commission’s returning officers, one of whom disqualified localist candidate Edward Leung Tin-kei despite his last-minute announcement that he was distancing himself from a pro-independence stance.

Returning officer Cora Ho Lai-sheung disqualified Leung on the ground that she did not believe Leung’s change of heart, prompting critics to question whether an officer had the legal power to rule on a candidate’s sincerity.

Kwok wrote in the court document that Ip was allowed to run despite the earlier vow she made to the colonial government.