Hong Kong Legislative Council elections postponed by a year
Hong Kong’s legislative council election, originally scheduled to be held today, has been postponed by a year.
The government cited COVID-19 and public safety concerns. However, opposition leaders contend that this is the latest in a series of aggressive moves by pro-Beijing officials to sideline and silence the pro-democracy movement. In primaries hosted by the pro-democratic camp in July, more than 600,000 people voted, suggesting that pro-democratic leaders could win a majority in the legislative council. Opposition leaders believe that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) used the delay to avoid a potentially devastating defeat in the polls. Legal experts have also questioned the validity of the seldom-used emergency ordinance legal for the delay because it creates a legislative vacuum. Under Hong Kong’s laws, an election can only be postponed for up to 14 days in the event of a public health or safety risk.
The postponement will likely enable the CCP to tighten electoral regulations and intimidate pro-democratic activists in a bid to take control of the national narrative. If the CCP succeeds in gaining public support, expect Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists to see their momentum eroded. The CCP’s consolidation of power in Hong Kong is therefore likely to impede or completely undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy.
Wake up smarter with an assessment of the stories that will make headlines in the next 24 hours. Download The Daily Brief.
