Exclusive | Ousted Hong Kong lawmaker Lau Siu-lai to challenge decision to ban her from standing in Kowloon West by-election
- Democratic candidate was prevented from running by returning officer, who said she held views contrary to the Basic Law
- Lau to argue that she was not given a chance to defend herself
Ousted Hong Kong lawmaker Lau Siu-lai is to launch a legal bid to invalidate the Legislative Council by-election in November she was barred from running in, the Post has learned.
Lau, who was accused of once advocating self-determination for the city, is expected to argue that she was not given a chance to explain her political stance before being disqualified.
The former lawmaker confirmed that she would file an election petition next week, if she cleared the funding arrangement with the crowdfunded Justice Defence Fund.
“My rights to stand in an election have been deprived and I hope to strive for what’s right,” Lau said. “The returning office twisted my political beliefs and did not give me a chance to defend myself.”
Lau was unseated in 2017 from the legislature for improper oath-taking, a move that triggered the Kowloon West by-election last November. While she tried to win back her own seat, the returning officer argued the activist had not genuinely changed her stance calling for “democratic self-determination” in 2016, despite Lau ditching her previous stance before her last campaign.