Hong Kong district council election: John Lee expects ‘fierce competition’ in December poll, despite lack of opposition candidates
- City leader John Lee touts revised electoral system after opposition and some pro-establishment hopefuls failed to secure nominations by Monday’s deadline
- ‘Those securing the nominations should be capable people who truly love their country and Hong Kong,’ he adds
Hong Kong’s leader has said he expected to see “fierce competition” in December’s district council election despite the absence of opposition candidates, with the new system ensuring only top “patriotic” hopefuls will come out ahead.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday touted the revised electoral system, a day after opposition hopefuls failed to secure enough nominations to stand in the election on December 10.
Some pro-establishment candidates had also complained of difficulties involving the overhaul process.
Candidates were required to obtain nine nominations from members of area committees before the deadline on Monday. Authorities later said they had logged a total of 399 endorsements gathered by contenders.
Speaking to the press before his weekly meeting with key decision-making body the Executive Council, Lee said: “The purpose is to select the best people … You have to convince the public and ensure they agree you are qualified and competent to serve the district.”
“Those securing the nominations should be capable people who truly love their country and Hong Kong,” he said.
Lee also called on unsuccessful hopefuls to improve themselves, so nominators and voters would consider them suitable to serve the public.
The election will see 171 candidates, drawn from pro-establishment groups or running as independents, compete for 88 directly elected seats across 44 geographical constituencies. About 4.3 million people are registered and eligible to vote in the poll.
Lee will select 179 district councillors and the remaining 27 will be held by the chairs of rural committees from the city’s districts.
Another 228 hopefuls will run for the 176 seats made up by the district committee constituencies and Lee said he expected intense competition.
No Hong Kong opposition groups in district poll with nominations hard to find
The chief executive said the election candidates came from diverse backgrounds across a variety of ethnic groups and professions, and also included veteran community leaders and young candidates “determined to serve”.
“This reflects the improved system’s universality and diversity,” Lee said.
The Democratic Party, the city’s largest opposition group, on Monday said none of its six hopefuls had managed to secure enough endorsements, despite efforts to contact nominators.
Some pro-establishment parties also said the new system had presented hurdles.
Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun’s Roundtable party saw only one of its five hopefuls meet the nomination threshold.
A single candidate among seven fielded by Beijing loyalist think tank Path of Democracy made the cut.
Hong Kong’s Lee warns district council hopefuls nominations not ‘at your fingertips’
But Lee insisted the system was fair, applied to everyone whether they belonged to “any political parties or not” and operated regardless of their background.
“I think that is most important, the system has to be fair and applies to everybody in the same way, he said.
“That is the most important principle for all elections to be considered – fair and equal application. A candidate will have to respect the decision of the person he seeks the nomination from … it is up to you to ensure that you can convince the person you want to convince.”
