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Delegates to the 2021 "two sessions", China's annual parliamentary meetings, voted on a resolution on Hong Kong electoral reform to overhaul the city's electoral system. The changes include slashing the number of directly elected seats and ensuring more pro-Beijing representation in the city’s legislature, creating a powerful new post to head a more influential Election Committee, and setting up a vetting body comprising principal officials to screen out candidates deemed to be unpatriotic.
- Given that 2.38 million professed support for the electoral changes in a signature campaign, pro-Beijing legislators should win the Legco elections by a landslide
Pro-establishment lawmakers insist that future election hopefuls should reveal any ties to other countries, though the law allows foreign nationals to sit in the legislature and Election Committee.
Pro-establishment lawmakers insist that future election hopefuls should reveal any ties to other countries, though the law allows foreign nationals to sit in the legislature and Election Committee.
In downgrading their role in the electoral revamp, Beijing clearly sees the 2010 reform that gave district councils influence in the chief executive race as a misstep. But popularly elected district councillors have a mandate. If Beijing wants to strip them of a political role, it should appoint them rather than allow election.
In downgrading their role in the electoral revamp, Beijing clearly sees the 2010 reform that gave district councils influence in the chief executive race as a misstep. But popularly elected district councillors have a mandate. If Beijing wants to strip them of a political role, it should appoint them rather than allow election.
Even with the government’s pre-screening of candidates for public office, Hongkongers will have a choice. But from now on the options will only be healthy – akin to vegan burgers instead of unhealthy triple cheeseburgers.
Even with the government’s pre-screening of candidates for public office, Hongkongers will have a choice. But from now on the options will only be healthy – akin to vegan burgers instead of unhealthy triple cheeseburgers.
Ministers also reveal the term for newly empowered Election Committee to last five years, but say they are in the dark over what happens next.
Ministers also reveal the term for newly empowered Election Committee to last five years, but say they are in the dark over what happens next.
With the revamped system in place, Beijing will be directly involved in local politics – whether it likes it or not. Being in the driver’s seat, it may be blamed for governance failures. Finger-pointing may ensue over livelihood issues, not just political matters.
With the revamped system in place, Beijing will be directly involved in local politics – whether it likes it or not. Being in the driver’s seat, it may be blamed for governance failures. Finger-pointing may ensue over livelihood issues, not just political matters.
At least four bodies with corporate votes for Election Committee members are led by directors based across border and elsewhere.
At least four bodies with corporate votes for Election Committee members are led by directors based across border and elsewhere.
Look at new rules reveals more than two-thirds of representatives on Election Committee either appointed by authorities or pro-establishment bodies, leaving around 500 seats to be decided in election.
Look at new rules reveals more than two-thirds of representatives on Election Committee either appointed by authorities or pro-establishment bodies, leaving around 500 seats to be decided in election.
Legal scholars raise concerns about the pitfalls of creating an incitement offence for acts that would otherwise be legal in themselves.
Legal scholars raise concerns about the pitfalls of creating an incitement offence for acts that would otherwise be legal in themselves.
But some pro-establishment legislators warn that it is also important to make sure the legislature, which will be expanded from 70 to 90 seats, is filled with experienced members.
But some pro-establishment legislators warn that it is also important to make sure the legislature, which will be expanded from 70 to 90 seats, is filled with experienced members.
Opposition camp squeezed with Election Committee presence curtailed, but some of its Legco heartlands spared under Beijing’s reforms in Hong Kong.
Opposition camp squeezed with Election Committee presence curtailed, but some of its Legco heartlands spared under Beijing’s reforms in Hong Kong.
Security minister John Lee says process is under way for determining how police review office-seeking candidates under Beijing’s electoral reforms.
Security minister John Lee says process is under way for determining how police review office-seeking candidates under Beijing’s electoral reforms.
A key amendment that raised eyebrows was the composition of a newly created 60-seat sector for grass-roots associations in the Election Committee.
A key amendment that raised eyebrows was the composition of a newly created 60-seat sector for grass-roots associations in the Election Committee.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on April 13, 2021, announced more electoral amendments that critics say would favour pro-Beijing candidates. The changes include redrawing geographical boundaries and criminalising advocacy for casting blank ballots.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on April 13, 2021, announced more electoral amendments that critics say would favour pro-Beijing candidates. The changes include redrawing geographical boundaries and criminalising advocacy for casting blank ballots.
The Legislative Council elections, which had earlier been postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be further pushed back to December 19.
The Legislative Council elections, which had earlier been postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be further pushed back to December 19.
‘The government will not regulate [residents’] choice, whether it is to choose a candidate or no candidate at all, or to damage the ballot to invalidate it,’ chief executive says, while warning against ‘inciting voters’ to collective action.
‘The government will not regulate [residents’] choice, whether it is to choose a candidate or no candidate at all, or to damage the ballot to invalidate it,’ chief executive says, while warning against ‘inciting voters’ to collective action.
Minister says inciting voters to leave ballot papers blank could violate Basic Law, but analysts warn banning the practice could hamper turnout, raise legitimacy questions.
Minister says inciting voters to leave ballot papers blank could violate Basic Law, but analysts warn banning the practice could hamper turnout, raise legitimacy questions.
Looking back on opposition lawmaker’s actions in Legco, it is clear that they were not out to destroy livelihoods, but to prevent flawed projects.
Looking back on opposition lawmaker’s actions in Legco, it is clear that they were not out to destroy livelihoods, but to prevent flawed projects.
Leung, a vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, also says he has not been offered the new role as Election Committee convenor.
Leung, a vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, also says he has not been offered the new role as Election Committee convenor.
The two senior officials who ignited a debate last week by raising the possibility of such a ban should have known better. The idea is preposterous: how would you know who had cast a blank vote unless voting would no longer be secret?
The two senior officials who ignited a debate last week by raising the possibility of such a ban should have known better. The idea is preposterous: how would you know who had cast a blank vote unless voting would no longer be secret?
The revamp is aimed at synthesising a new democratic electoral system best suited to Hong Kong’s actual situation and with Hong Kong characteristics. The ultimate aim of universal suffrage, as promised in the Basic Law, remains unchanged.
The revamp is aimed at synthesising a new democratic electoral system best suited to Hong Kong’s actual situation and with Hong Kong characteristics. The ultimate aim of universal suffrage, as promised in the Basic Law, remains unchanged.
Taxpayers should welcome the revamp, which will broaden representation in a legislature previously dominated by special interest groups representing their industry or district. The upgrade should result in more efficient decision-making in the government.
Taxpayers should welcome the revamp, which will broaden representation in a legislature previously dominated by special interest groups representing their industry or district. The upgrade should result in more efficient decision-making in the government.
While Lam did not name the politician, former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing had said it would be ‘humiliating’ for would-be lawmakers to seek nominations from their rivals.
While Lam did not name the politician, former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing had said it would be ‘humiliating’ for would-be lawmakers to seek nominations from their rivals.
Senior mainland Chinese official Tam Tieniu compares city to a car moving along a dangerous road during seminar organised by Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
Senior mainland Chinese official Tam Tieniu compares city to a car moving along a dangerous road during seminar organised by Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang also reveals the government is studying whether opposition district councillors who resign rather than pledge allegiance will have to return public funds.
Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang also reveals the government is studying whether opposition district councillors who resign rather than pledge allegiance will have to return public funds.
In first interview with regional media since taking up role, Agnes Callamard says electoral changes in Hong Kong aimed at ensuring just one type of candidate exists.
In first interview with regional media since taking up role, Agnes Callamard says electoral changes in Hong Kong aimed at ensuring just one type of candidate exists.
Party heads say they cannot turn to traditional sources to raise funds such as demonstrations and annual dinners because of social-distancing rules.
Party heads say they cannot turn to traditional sources to raise funds such as demonstrations and annual dinners because of social-distancing rules.
In a meeting two days after last week’s sweeping revamp was endorsed, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said the specifics needed to be interpreted alongside existing security legislation.
In a meeting two days after last week’s sweeping revamp was endorsed, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said the specifics needed to be interpreted alongside existing security legislation.
Beijing’s electoral reforms take Hong Kong back to the system that worked so well in colonial times, with everyone free to criticise the government but only outstanding individuals allowed to govern
Beijing’s electoral reforms take Hong Kong back to the system that worked so well in colonial times, with everyone free to criticise the government but only outstanding individuals allowed to govern
The possibility of a ban on blank ballots was floated by two top officials over the weekend.
The possibility of a ban on blank ballots was floated by two top officials over the weekend.
The swiftness of the Hong Kong government’s implementation of changes ordered by Beijing contrasts with its laxness in solving livelihood issues. If the changes mean that officials will no longer put the interests of the wealthy ahead of ordinary people, it may not be a bad thing.
Sweeping reforms under the national security law and the jailing of pro-democracy figures have only further divided Hong Kong, and Carrie Lam has to address long-standing grievances if the city is to move on
The government and ‘patriotic’ politicians should wow voters with results and rewards, not intimidate them with more laws.
Proposed three years in jail for those who incite others not to cast their ballots has raised the political stakes at a time when voting is purely a personal choice and should be respected.
Despite the hurdles, there is still room for Hong Kong’s pan-democrats to play a meaningful role in the political system
Hongkongers raised on freedom, choice, open internet access and responsible use of tax money are unlikely to embrace unquestioning loyalty. No matter how much Beijing says it is in charge, it cannot bulldoze the ways of life of generations of people.
Adding members with close links to the mainland to the group that will select Hong Kong’s leader and lawmakers is no doubt a controversial move but the goal is for this city to truly become an important part of China
The job has great powers while the chief executive gets all the headaches and blame.
Any changes must serve to improve governance and it is important that lawmakers can continue exercising checks and balances effectively under the Basic Law.
Beijing-imposed electoral reform has left some feeling despondent but there is still an opportunity for dialogue that must be seized.