The Legislative Council election will be held on December 19 this year, only about three months ago. However, the government has not yet fully explained to the public its new measures against the epidemic and changes in the electoral system. In particular, the voting arrangements for mainland Hong Kong people have not yet been finalized. , And the government’s vague reasons for deciding that the democratic Hong Kong Island district councillors swear an oath is vague, which also makes pan-democrats who are interested in running for elections hesitate whether they are eligible for election to the Legislative Council.
In terms of eligibility for election, since this election was the first legislative council election after the Government passed the "Improvement of the Electoral System (Comprehensive Amendment) Ordinance 2021", politicians were unable to directly evaluate their participation in the election at the end of the year from the 2016 election experience. The probability of the “gate” and the result of the Oath of the Panminist Nature View District Councillors is an important indicator.
The government arranged for Hong Kong Island District Council members to take the oath on September 10, and all the pro-democracy parties passed the oath. Seven of the 14 pan-democratic parties who participated in the oath were asked to provide additional information on the same day and were notified that the oath was invalidated on Wednesday (15th). , Lost seats.
The government is considering their written replies and all relevant information to the diplomatic representative. "The commissioner for oaths determined that the oaths of the seven district councillors were invalid in accordance with the principles laid down in the relevant interpretation and relevant legal provisions."
The standard clearly attracts qualified persons
It is reported that some district councillors received justifications from the negative list of “supporting the Basic Law and loyal to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” in the Interpretation and General Provisions Ordinance, including acts that undermine the order of the political system and the overall interests of the Special Administrative Region, including the use of illegal means to force or Intimidate the chief executive to change policies or submit bills to the Legislative Council; indiscriminately oppose the government's bills with the intent to threaten the government so that they cannot perform their duties normally; or force the chief executive to step down and overthrow the SAR government; and hold a "disguised referendum."
Hong Kong Island District Councillors took the lead in taking the oath last week. Seven "Pan-Democratic" district councilors were accused of doubts about the validity of the oath, including the chairman of the Wan Chai District Council Yang Xueying, who was accused of violating the National Security Act for participating in the democratic primary elections.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Specifically, it is generally estimated that the "causes of death" include participating in the primary election of the Legislative Council, lent to the office as a voting station, and signing the "Mo Luo No Regrets" statement.
Democratic Party Chairman Law Kin-hee pointed out that from this time, the "DQ" members can guess where the red line is, and the future election arrangements will be evaluated according to the current situation, but he is worried that the red line will change in the future.
In any case, the qualification review for the election has entered a new stage. The clearer the government's explanation, the more it will allow candidates to have criteria to follow.
On the contrary, if those who are interested can only guess the range of safety, even if they put aside their past pan-political behavior and rejoin the community to serve voters, they may lose the opportunity to participate in politics because of a misunderstanding of the guidelines.
It must be known that under the new political situation, some democrats intend to change their past styles and be pragmatic in politics. Officials need to reassure them and allow more people who are willing to love the country and Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems" to participate in governance.
The Legislative Council elections will be held in December this year.
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Election must not be lost, overseas voting must be finalized early
Another issue that remains unclear in the Legislative Council election is the voting arrangements.
Last year the government failed to postpone the election for a year due to the epidemic. During this period, officials said that they would study the feasibility of overseas voting.
The short-term epidemic is expected to be stable, and the election has a greater chance of success.
However, a year later, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Zeng Guowei, seemed to be at a loss when answering questions from legislators this Wednesday. He only said that he "actively made plans" and emphasized that the establishment of polling stations in the Mainland must overcome technical and legal problems and also Cooperating with the Mainland, it is not rushed.
The government is studying setting up stations at the border, but it must consider quarantine-free arrangements.
The operation of the Legislative Council is now smoother than in the past, and it is less difficult to amend the law. The focus of the problem should be on practical operations.
According to the Secretary's reply, does it mean that channels other than the border are not acceptable?
Even if only Hong Kong people in the Mainland are allowed to vote at the voting stations due to practical reasons, will the borders other than Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge be opened?
Can Hong Kong be opened up to the economic and trade offices of mainland provinces and cities?
On top of this, how can candidates promote to overseas voters, for example, through the Internet and mail?
There are hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong people in the Mainland. Even if only 30,000 people are willing to vote in the end, the government must protect their right to vote.
The government can also investigate voting intentions and method preferences with the mainland and Hong Kong people in advance to mobilize resources as soon as possible.
Elections are open and fair. Eligibility for elections must be based on evidence and the right to vote must be respected.
The more people who abide by the "one country, two systems" can stand for elections, and the more citizens will be able to vote conveniently, this will be the key to a successful election.
The December Legislative Council election is the first time since the postponement of one year and the reform of the electoral system. Naturally, there are extra reasons to hold it smoothly.
Modifying the rules of procedure does not mean improving the quality of the Legislative Council. Members of the establishment must be faithful to their duties in the Legislative Council, and they should return to rational politics.