Explainer | What you need to know about Hong Kong’s Election Committee, with key polls on the horizon and nominations opening

No rush of nominations for powerful body expected on Friday, as some aspiring candidates are still gathering support

Opposition camp likely to stay out, put off by vetting of candidates, changes to voting system

Reading Time:5 minutes

Elections season in Hong Kong gets under way next month with the first poll since Beijing’s reforms. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 12:00pm, 6 Aug 2021Updated: 2:06pm, 8 Sep 2021

Hong Kong enters a season of elections starting next month, leading up to the selection of a new chief executive in 2022.

The city’s political landscape has been reshaped radically following Beijing’s overhaul of local electoral systems in March to ensure only “patriots” hold office.

First up, on September 19, will be the polls for the 1,500 members of the enlarged Election Committee which will wield extensive new powers. Nominations open on Friday.

Elections for the Legislative Council, delayed since last year by the Covid-19 pandemic, will be held in December, and the race for the city’s next leader is expected to kick off in March next year.

Here is what you need to know about the powerful Election Committee, the people vying to join its ranks, and those choosing to stay out.

1. Why does the Election Committee matter?

Hong Kong’s Election Committee used to be tasked only with choosing the city’s chief executive. With Beijing’s shake-up of the electoral system, it has been expanded by 300 to 1,500 members representing five sectors and given more to do.

The all-powerful body will not only choose the city’s leader, but also decide who can contest elections in Hong Kong and send some of its members to Legco as lawmakers wielding considerable influence.

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