Hong Kong chief executive election candidates will have to sign new ‘loyalty’ declaration

Legco contenders had to sign the same controversial form before polls to acknowledge city’s status as part of China

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Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying at a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this month. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 6:41pm, 20 Oct 2016Updated: 11:29pm, 20 Oct 2016

A controversial government move to screen out independence advocates from running in last month’s Legislative Council polls will be extended to the election for the city’s top leader in March.

According to guidelines issued on Thursday by the Electoral Affairs Commission, chief executive candidates will have to sign a “confirmation form” to acknowledge their understanding of the Basic Law.

The wording of the confirmation form was not revealed, but the guidelines stated that it was to help the returning officers “ensure that the nomination procedure is completed in accordance with the law”.

Edward Leung signed the declaration but was not allowed to run in the Legco elections. Photo: Nora Tam

This is in addition to the requirement for candidates to sign a declaration that they will uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong special administrative region.

A commission spokesman said the additional requirement was decided after “taking into consideration the views received during a 14-day public consultation exercise” in June.

A source said the government was merely executing a legal requirement in a consistent fashion, following similar arrangements for Legco election candidates.

The requirement for signing an extra confirmation form was introduced in July during the nomination period for the Legco elections amid a rising tide of calls for Hong Kong independence.