Hong Kong electoral changes: debate rages about making it illegal to cast blank votes but city’s biggest opposition party says it’s too early to talk about such tactics
- The possibility of a ban on blank ballots was floated by two top officials over the weekend
- Democratic Party says it will recommend its councillors take a new oath of office required by Beijing’s demand for ‘patriotic’ representation
The Democratic Party also revealed that it would recommend its 86 district councillors take a new oath of office required by the government under Beijing’s bottom line that only “patriots” should be allowed to run Hong Kong.
While Cheng urged residents not to cast a blank ballot as it was their civic responsibility to vote, Tsang said the authorities were looking at the issue and would make adjustments accordingly, if necessary.
The overhaul included slashing the number of directly elected seats in Legco and subjecting candidates to screening by a vetting committee advised by the Hong Kong police’s national security unit.
Casting blank votes is allowed under the existing system and I do not see an urgent need to change it
Under the changes, contained in an amended Annex I of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the government is also required to take steps “against acts of manipulating or undermining election(s)”, an issue that has sparked speculation.