Advertisement
As Hong Kong heads towards District Elections, calls for ‘revolution’ raise chances of more candidate disqualifications
- At least four candidates have been asked to explain their use of a popular slogan among the city’s protesters – ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’ – which has touched a nerve with the authorities
- Experts say young peoples’ lack of representation in the legislature that has contributed to their frustrations
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Hong Kong faces a new political storm ahead of the District Council elections in November, which will be the first citywide polls since months of social unrest first erupted in June.
The candidacies of several pro-democracy aspirants – including Occupy’s poster boy Joshua Wong Chi-fung – have appeared to hang in the balance after they received letters from returning officers on Monday, demanding clarification on their political stances.
At least four candidates have been asked to explain their use of a popular slogan among the city’s protesters – “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” – which has touched a nerve with the authorities.
Advertisement
Here’s a look at the government’s previous attempts to ban election hopefuls and the impact it’s had on the city.
Advertisement
Who has the right to ban candidates from running in elections?
Returning officers, who have the power to determine one’s candidacy in Hong Kong elections and sprang to public attention in 2016, are in fact district officers under the Home Affairs Department who during election times perform this role. Appointed by the Electoral Affairs Commission, they conduct procedural tasks for the polls.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x