Hong Kong electoral changes: powerful vetting committee that will review hopefuls in coming polls holds first meeting

Seven-member body, established recently as part of Beijing’s drastic overhaul of city’s political system, holds talks but does not disclose details

Chaired by No 2 official John Lee, the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee will assess if election aspirants are national security threat

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The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is chaired by Chief Secretary John Lee. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:25pm, 14 Jul 2021Updated: 7:38pm, 19 Jul 2021

A powerful vetting committee newly established to ensure candidates in Hong Kong’s coming elections pose no threat to national security held its first meeting on Wednesday, marking another step ahead in the roll-out of new polling processes imposed by Beijing.

Seven members of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC), chaired by Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu, held talks but did not reveal what was discussed at the table.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor last Tuesday appointed members to the body, created as part of Beijing’s drastic overhaul of the city’s electoral system.

They included constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, security secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung and home affairs minister Caspar Tsui Ying-wai.

In a statement announcing the meeting on Wednesday, the Chief Secretary’s Office reiterated that the functions of the committee included reviewing and confirming the eligibility of candidates in the chief executive race, as well as of those running for seats on the Election Committee and the Legislative Council.

The expanded Election Committee is traditionally task with selecting the city’s leader, but it has also been empowered to nominate hopefuls for the legislature and field representatives of its own.

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Hong Kong electoral changes: powerful vetting committee that will review hopefuls in coming polls holds first meeting

Seven-member body, established recently as part of Beijing’s drastic overhaul of city’s political system, holds talks but does not disclose details Chaired by No 2 official John Lee, the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee will assess if election aspirants are national security threat

Seven-member body, established recently as part of Beijing’s drastic overhaul of city’s political system, holds talks but does not disclose details

Chaired by No 2 official John Lee, the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee will assess if election aspirants are national security threat