Hong Kong pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong and others arrange backup candidates to contest district council elections
- Wong, who received a second letter in less than a week from returning officer asking him to explain his stance, says he will not allow his rival to win uncontested
- At least 12 pro-democracy camp candidates have also made alternative arrangements fearing they might be barred from running
The latest development from Wong, secretary general of Demosisto, came as returning officer Dorothy Ma Chow Pui-fun sent the activist a second letter in less than a week, demanding that he explain his stance on Hong Kong independence, even if that was floated as just an option.
Wong, running in the South Horizons West constituency of Southern District Council, said he would explore “alternative plans” to mitigate the risk of disqualification, but maintained that the situation was still fluid.
“We will not allow [rival] Judy Chan Ka-pui to get elected without any competition,” Wong said, ahead of Thursday’s 5pm deadline to file nominations for running in the local polls on November 24.
“The backup plan really depends on whether the returning officer makes a third round of inquiry,” he said.