Understanding LegCo in Hong Kong: A Quick Guide.
Hong Kong's LegCo serves as a law-making body with the authority to enact and revise laws for the territory. However, electoral processes for this assembly have experienced a notable absence in meaningful opposition during a period of sweeping political transformations in the last decade.
Following the 1997 handover, a principle of a dual-system arrangement was established, vowing that Hong Kong would maintain a level of self-governance. In the years since, critics contend that civil liberties have been steadily diminished.
Significant Developments and Shifts
In 2014, a bill was introduced that would have allow residents to choose the head of government. Notably, any such election was limited to nominees sanctioned by the mainland government.
The year 2019 experienced extensive unrest, culminating in an incident where residents entered the legislative complex to demonstrate against a controversial legal amendment.
The Impact of the National Security Law
Enacted in June 2020, the National Security Law provided unprecedented powers to central authorities over Hong Kong's affairs. Conduct such as collusion were criminalized. Following this law, all significant opposition organization dissolved.
The Current Electoral System
The council polls are considered Hong Kong's main democratic exercise. Nevertheless, laws enacted in recent years now guarantee that only hopefuls deemed loyal are permitted to contest seats.
- Distribution of Seats: At present, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
- Remaining Seats: The rest are selected by a pro-establishment committee.
- Proposed Standards: Newly suggested standards would compel legislators to unequivocally back the mainland's oversight.
Public Response
Given most forms of protest now criminalized, voter abstention has become one of the remaining safe ways for residents to register discontent. Consequently unprecedentedly low voter turnout in subsequent LegCo elections.
