Politics
Written by: Chen Jialuo, Peng Yiwei
2020-03-26 07:00
Last updated: 2020-03-26 07:00The Legislative Council elections were held in September. The Electoral Affairs Commission previously announced new guidelines to consult the public. It mentioned that if someone participates in "internal selection" held by a political party, they may be considered as "candidates." Fans blasted in unison, criticizing the authorities for their unclear definition of "candidates" and fearing that primary party elections would involve election funding.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) is holding a primary party election called "Star of Hong Kong". It was originally scheduled to vote at the end of this month. However, it is reported that the Central Committee of the DAB has recently decided to cancel the primary vote for the sake of stability. Falling into the French Open has attracted "no delusion" and has greatly increased election expenses.
As for how to decide the candidates for election, the DAB has not yet finalized the proposal, and some have proposed to be generated through consultation.
The DAB is holding the "Star of Hong Kong" project. (Profile picture)
Candidates were scheduled to be issued early next month
The DAB, which was hit hard in last year's district elections, passed the establishment of an internal party primary election mechanism in January this year. Leaders and regional branches voted, checked attendance, and other methods. Party members of the "general election" represented the DAB in direct elections in the district and super district boards Seats.
The "Construction Star 2.0" plan is currently holding a five-zone consultation meeting, in which participants explain the political platform and answer questions from party members. Voting was originally scheduled from March 30 to April 3, and votes will be issued on April 9. The committee confirmed the candidates in mid-April and gave birth to the "star of quasi-building of Hong Kong" to represent the DAB in the September Legislative Council election.
List of direct elections in the five districts of the DAB and the primaries in the "super district"
Hong Kong Island
6 people: Zhang Guojun, Chen Xuefeng, Liu Tianzheng, Xiao Weizhong, Tan Jinjie, Zhang Weinan
New Territories West
4 people: Liang Zhixiang, Chen Hengquan, Zhou Haoding, Ye Wenbin
New Territories East
3 people: Chen Keqin, Ge Yifan, Liu Guoxun
Kowloon West
1 person: Jung Young Soon
Kowloon East
3 people: Ke Chongsheng, Hong Jindi, Li Ronghao
Super District Council
2 people: Li Huiqiong, Yan Wenyu
The EAC announced its recommendations for the election in early March. (Profile picture)
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Regional consultations continue
However, the EAC announced new guidelines for election activities earlier. The definition of "candidate" is different from that in the past. It states that if a person adds a political party or group to "internal selection" for an election, whether or not that person will be considered. To be a "candidate," it depends on all the circumstances and substantive evidence involved in the process, "not just the person's self-expression or interpretation."
The proposed new guidelines have attracted cross-party dissatisfaction. Li Huiqiong, the chairman of the DAB, has criticized the authorities for setting up too many "boxes and frames", hindering the talent development and training of political parties. It is reported that the Central Committee of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) met the night before (24th) and decided that the "Star of Hong Kong" will no longer be voted on, so as not to be considered by the authorities as "primary election" by the party and the relevant expenses should be included in the election expenses.
Some people from the DAB pointed out that although the EAC's new guidelines are only consultation documents, for the sake of stability, they would rather abandon the voting link in order to avoid being asked by the Registration and Electoral Office to declare election expenses in the future. Party members also have to declare together, inviting "no delusion". People from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) said that in order to comply with the legal requirements, it is appropriate to cancel voting. However, the regional consultation meeting will continue. Among them, the Western New Territories and Hong Kong Island District have completed consultation meetings. The participants mainly exchanged views on the future direction of the DAB.
Incumbent Member Zhang Guojun (fourth from left), Chen Xuefeng (fifth from left), Vice Chairman of the DAB, and Liu Tianzheng (third from left), Community Officer of the Central and Western District, have signed up to participate in the Hong Kong Island primary election. (Profile picture / Photo by Luo Junhao)
Party emphasizes non-primary election
Another person from the DAB pointed out that the meeting was mainly to clarify that "Star of Hong Kong" is not a ranking plan, and voting is no longer needed at this stage. As for whether voting will be replaced in other ways, it is reported that the party has not yet decided.
Some sources in the party emphasized that the plan was not a primary election, but only for reference. The plan was mainly used to allow different brothers in the party to express their opinions on policies and politics.
Legislative Council Elections DAB Li Huiqiong Zhang Guojun Zhou Haoding Chen Keqin
