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Saturday, January 16, 2021, 09:18
HK electoral reform inevitable, Tam says
By Gang Wen in Hong Kong
Saturday, January 16, 2021, 09:18 By Gang Wen in Hong Kong


Electoral reform in Hong Kong is inevitable, now that loopholes in the system have been exposed and damage inflicted, Hong Kong’s representative to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee said on Friday. 

In an interview with China Daily, Tam Yiu­-chung said reform is tied not only to the city’s constitutional duty to safeguard national security, but also Hong Kong’s social stability and economic development. 

Tam Yiu­-chung, Hong Kong’s representative to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, cited the chaos in and out of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council in recent years, including the opposition lawmakers’ many attempts to filibuster government projects and their active role in the so­-called 35-­plus primary

Tam cited the chaos in and out of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council in recent years, including the opposition lawmakers’ many attempts to filibuster government projects and their active role in the so­-called 35-­plus primary, which he said was conducted with the ultimate aim of overthrowing the government. 

Tam said the primary exposed the loopholes in the existing electoral mechanism. Given the significant role of the legislature, there will be unimaginable consequences if their ploy succeeds, Tam said. 

ALSO READ: More say electoral reform in HK needed

Before seeking election, candidates for lawmaker and dis­trict councilor posi­tions are vetted by a returning officer, and the candidates must pledge their loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administra­tive Region government when assuming office. But Tam thinks this process is not enough. 

“Some people are dishonest and will do anything” to win a seat on the Legislative Council, he said, referring to lawmakers who inten­tionally prevented LegCo from scrutinizing bills and subsidiary laws for six months last year by obstructing the selection of a House Committee chairperson. 

Tam called on Hong Kong people to clearly see that a sound electoral system will help build social stabili­ty and will lay the foundation for developing the economy and addressing livelihood issues. 

Tam said any reform in Hong Kong will be carried out in strict compliance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, and legal procedures, and will not undermine the funda­mental rights of residents. 

Tam expressed optimism about the city’s electoral reform, since both the Hong Kong SAR govern­ment and the central government will do everything to ensure the city’s well­-being. 

READ MORE: Experts: HK electoral reform necessary, political and legal

The agenda of the upcoming three­-day NPCSC meeting does not include Hong Kong-­related issues, according to Tam. 

On Nov 11, four lawmakers of the sixth-­term LegCo were disqualified by the SAR government in accord­ ance with an NPCSC decision that requires Hong Kong legislators to uphold the Basic Law and honor their pledge of allegiance to the HKSAR or face disqualification. The four people were among 12 candidates barred from running for the now­-postponed seventh legisla­tive election by Hong Kong’s returning officers, as the candidates were found to have failed to meet the legal requirements as out­ lined in the Legislative Council Ordinance. 

gangwen@chinadaily.com.cn




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