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.