Hong Kong authorities made ‘arbitrary’ decision, pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong says on district council elections ban
- The only candidate in coming polls banned over political stance says there are ‘double standards’ in vetting process
Wong made the comments on an RTHK radio programme on Sunday, which was also attended by lawmaker Leung Che-cheung from the city’s largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. Leung further criticised election officials, saying they should be more stringent.
Wong was the only hopeful disqualified from the polls over his political allegiance.
Although he had made clear he did not support Hong Kong’s separation from mainland China or independence as an option, acting returning officer Laura Liang Aron said Wong had tried to “mislead” the public in stating he had changed his stance.
She pointed to his statement that he still supported the idea of a non-binding referendum on self-determination, with independence as an option.
Beijing lambasts Wong after poll ban, accusing him of taking US money
On Sunday Wong said he failed to see clear guidelines in the candidate-vetting process, which could lead to different treatments.
“While I support self-determination, some candidates have stated 'liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’, and one even said: ‘Damn the Chinese communists, the entire party should go to hell’.
“That’s even directly challenging the Chinese Communist Party’s rule. Why can they still run while I can’t?” Wong said, adding there was a “double standard” in the process.
Some candidates have stated 'liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’, and one even said: ‘Damn the Chinese communists, the entire party should go to hell
Leung said he knew of at least two candidates who mentioned “self-determination” in their campaign promotion. “That showed the returning officer is not strict enough in vetting candidates,” he added.
Political scientist Sung Lap-kung, also on the same programme, said Beijing could have been consulted over Wong’s case. He added that Beijing might have viewed Wong as an iconic figure, and therefore would “allow anyone but Wong to run”.
According to a legal source, the Justice Department had advised the returning officer on handling Wong’s application. The Election Affairs Commission has refused to confirm this.
Responding to queries from the Post on whether Aron had sought or received any outside legal advice, her office said “the disclosure of the requested information would inhibit the frankness and candour of discussion within the government and advice given to the government”.
Wong earlier argued that district council elections had a different allegiance requirement than those for the Legislative Council, as district councillors were allowed to have the right of abode in foreign jurisdictions.
Joshua Wong election ban ‘shows how troublesome Beijing considers him’
On mounting speculation that the government may postpone the elections if protests turn ugly on polling day, Eric Lai Yan-ho, deputy convenor of the Civil Human Rights Group, said international experience showed the more unfair the election system, the more likely clashes would break out.
“The government and law enforcement agencies should really de-escalate the situation,” Lai said.
