Current:Home > MyHong Kong leader defends new election rules even though biggest pro-democracy party can’t join race-InfoLens
Hong Kong leader defends new election rules even though biggest pro-democracy party can’t join race
View Date:2025-01-11 06:11:45
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader defended the rules for upcoming local elections as open and fair Tuesday after an electoral overhaul effectively barred the city’s remaining pro-democracy activists from joining the race.
The city’s largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, will be absent in December’s district council election for the first time since its establishment in 1994. Party chair Lo Kin-hei said he and other members could not secure enough nominations under the new rules authorities introduced to ensure that “patriots administer Hong Kong.” Other smaller groups from the camp had the same problem.
Chief Executive John Lee said at a weekly news briefing that candidates have to respect the decisions of the people they sought nomination from.
“It is up to you to ensure that you can convince the person you want to convince,” he said.
The district councils were the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public. Under the electoral overhaul, most directly elected seats in the municipal-level organization have been eliminated.
The lack of participation from pan-democrats reflects the dwindling space for the city’s pro-democracy movement under a government crackdown on dissidents following the anti-government protests in 2019.
To enter the race, candidates have to secure endorsements from at least nine members of local committees that are packed with pro-government figures. Some pro-government politicians, including lawmaker Michael Tien, also said it was challenging for their groups to secure nominations.
Elections for the district council seats typically draw little international attention as the councilors mainly handled municipal matters, such as organizing construction projects and ensuring that public facilities are in order. But the councils took on importance after the city’s pro-democracy camp won a landslide victory in the last poll at the height of the 2019 protests. The camp then hailed its strong gains in the race as a victory for the Hong Kong people.
___
This story has been updated to correct that the election will take place in December, not November.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- Mars Wrigley brings back Snickers Trees, other 'festive' goodies before holidays
- How Andy Samberg Feels About Playing Kamala Harris’ Husband Doug Emhoff on Saturday Night Live
- Reshaping the Investment Landscape: AI FinFlare Leads a New Era of Intelligent Investing
- Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to play after missing 8 months with blood clot
- 3 Pennsylvania congressional races still uncalled as Republicans fight to keep slim House majority
- West Virginia voter, ACLU file lawsuit after Democrat state senate candidate left off ballot
- AP Race Call: Republican Nancy Mace wins reelection to U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District
- NFL Week 11 picks straight up and against spread: Will Bills hand Chiefs first loss of season?
- Election guru Steve Kornacki changes up internet-famous khakis look for election night 2024
Ranking
- Olivia Culpo Celebrates Christian McCaffrey's NFL Comeback Alongside Mother-in-Law
- Ariana Grande Reveals Next 10 Years of Her Career Will Scare the Absolute S--t Out of Her Fans
- Trump isn’t first to be second: Grover Cleveland set precedent of non-consecutive presidential terms
- Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers Up for Auction for $812,500 After Being Stolen by Mobster
- Kevin Costner says he hasn't watched John Dutton's fate on 'Yellowstone': 'Swear to God'
- Plane crashes with 5 passengers on board in Arizona, officials say
- In this Florida school district, some parents are pushing back against a cell phone ban
- Powerful winds and low humidity raise wildfire risk across California
Recommendation
-
UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
-
Chauncy Glover, Emmy-winning LA TV anchor, dies at 39: Reports
-
AP Race Call: Republican Nancy Mace wins reelection to U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District
-
Trump’s election could assure a conservative Supreme Court majority for decades
-
Stop smartphone distractions by creating a focus mode: Video tutorial
-
Wisconsin turnout in presidential race nears 73%
-
Fossil from huge 'terror bird' discovered for the first time in Colombia
-
Must-Have Thanksgiving Home Decor: The Coziest (And Cutest!) Autumnal Decorations