Aspiring election candidates insist their use of ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’ protest slogan does not mean they advocate independence

Popular slogan was the focus of letters sent by returning officer to at least four candidates

Two other hopefuls also received letters asking for their political views ahead of nominations closing for the 452 district council seats on Thursday

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Students display a banner with the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’ in Central. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 7:00am, 16 Oct 2019Updated: 7:26am, 16 Oct 2019

A popular slogan of Hong Kong protesters calling for the city’s “liberation” has come under the scrutiny of election officials demanding district council hopefuls explain their use of it, but all have insisted they were not advocating independence in citing the chant.

“Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” was the focus of letters sent by the returning officer of the coming district council elections, as they asked at least four aspiring candidates what they meant by it when they posted the message on their social media accounts.

Two other hopefuls also received letters asking for their political views ahead of nominations closing for the 452 district council seats on Thursday. Candidates have to obtain a certificate of qualification to run for the polls due to be held on November 24.

Since 2016, authorities have barred 10 candidates in various elections, including the Legislative Council polls, on the grounds that they advocated independence or self-determination, a red line that contravened the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Tommy Cheung had to respond to the returning officer by Tuesday night. Photo: Roy Issa

With the letters asking candidates of the coming elections to explain their stance on independence, political scientists warned that another wave of disqualifications would only escalate the social unrest that has plagued the city since early June.