Is the Hong Kong election system a blessing or a curse?

The Hong Kong election system might be both a curse and a blessing. For example, citizens have the illusion that they are voting for their own choice, when some candidates have actually been screened to the point that their beliefs and values differ only slightly, if not at all. Having said that, I do believe it is a minor improvement from the old system, because today anyone who is a Hong Kong citizen and is aged 18 or over may vote. Perhaps one day Hong Kong will be able to win the fight for full democracy.

Joy Lee, 14, South Island School

I think Hong Kong’s election system is more of a curse than a blessing. Undoubtedly, we can at least vote for our favourite candidate. However, with too many candidates, too little participation (usually less than half of the eligible voters cast their ballots), and the difficulty in making the right choice (you only get to vote for one candidate in a region), there’s a lot of room for improvement.

Lyndon Fan, 16, HKUGA College

Election fun

It’s a blessing for me as I’m not allowed to vote yet, so my choice doesn’t count. However, it’s great fun watching the debates involving politicians when elections are around the corner.

Anushka Purohit, 16, Renaissance College

I think it’s a blessing in disguise. It’s great because it’s one of the few things that still remind Hongkongers of their unique cultural background, and the legacy left behind by the British colonial rulers.

Veronica Lin, 17, Hong Kong International School

It’s neither a blessing nor a curse. I think most Hong Kong residents would vote if the government put up Pokemon Go lures at polling stations or gave out candy and chocolate. You know, today’s teenagers don’t really care about politics, but if you give them what they want, they would at least make an effort to participate in elections and do what’s best for Hong Kong. This way, teenagers would eagerly look forward to the elections and do a lot of research on the candidates!

Hillary Lo, 11, Sha Tin College

We’ll all be on cloud nine soon

It’s both good and bad. Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say. We don’t have full democracy but we’re more democratic than many countries around the world. Also, we rarely have election frauds. I agree there are some dark clouds hanging over us at the moment. But they’ll soon pass, and when this happens, we’ll have universal suffrage.

Ady Lam

The election system is a blessing. To be honest, we’re really lucky that we already know three people who will be contesting the upcoming chief executive election. What’s more, the election will be shown live on local television, and it will receive extensive media coverage both here and abroad. In some countries, you don’t know who the leader is until the day he is “crowned”, or the government makes an announcement. China has offered us a better system, so why not treasure it?

Eunice Yip, 15, Pooi To Middle School

Hong Kong’s election system is a blessing in disguise. Despite the fact that this isn’t the kind of system most of us are looking for, as long as people are allowed to vote, there’s every chance that it can be improved in the future. It’s that hope that drives us forward.

Miuccia Chan, 15, Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)

What system?

Does Hong Kong even have an election system?

George Zhai, 16, Groton School (US)

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