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Hong Kong enters a season of elections from September 2021, leading up to the selection of a new chief executive in 2022.
The dos and don’ts for district councillors help show that they are more than just patriots supporting the government and that they can make a difference in people’s lives.
Described as ‘high-calibre patriots’ by Hong Kong’s leader, it remains to be seen whether they will improve district bodies.
Hong Kong now looks to ‘patriotic’ councillors successfully returned following a ballot marred by technical glitches and an anticipated low turnout.
There are concerns that voter turnout for Sunday’s District Council may be on the low side, but voting is always in the city’s interest.
Members of ethnic minority groups in Hong Kong show it is possible to run in an election as long as one embraces rules laid down by Beijing.
‘Patriots’ may be having a clear field in Hong Kong’s district council poll, but one can only hope ballots to come are more representative.
- With record-low election turnout of 27.59 per cent, government spent an average of HK$102 on publicity for each vote in December 10 poll
- Sum was about 90 per cent more than HK$635 million spent on 2019 election
Basketball star Yung Kam-wah, Arnaldo Ho, son of late casino king Stanley Ho, and Fiona Tong, daughter of Isabella Kau, Miss Hong Kong 1982 runner-up among those appointed.
Some councillors point to high rental prices as biggest challenge, especially in constituencies located in commercial districts or private housing estates.
Yeung Sze-wing, 51, sentenced to two months in jail but term is suspended for two years owing to guilty plea and ‘other mitigating factors’.
Authorities offer breakdown of promotion drive for first ‘patriots-only’ district council poll last month, which drew record-low turnout, but stop short of revealing total price tag.
Sam Man, 38, was arrested after reposting Facebook video of a political commentator inciting others to boycott December 10 district council election.
Chief Executive John Lee calls on those taking part in government scheme to focus on community work after former district councillor and his team drop out.
Planned ‘Night Vibes Tsim Sha Tsui’ campaign involves street performances, lighting decorations and activities to boost consumption.
470 councillors swear oath of allegiance under supervision of home affairs chief Alice Mak.
Outgoing councillor says he did not want to become a ‘spineless politician’, so did not seek re-election in the December polls.
Home affair chief Alice Mak discusses new requirement after two closed-door briefings, weeks before new district councillors take office on January 1.
Forty-nine appointees, or 27 per cent, ran in the previous municipal-body election in 2019 and lost.
Councillors’ performance will affect people’s confidence in electoral system overhauled at the behest of the central government, observers say.
City’s largest pro-establishment parties, DAB and FTU, take lion’s share of seats and votes in first municipal-level poll since overhaul of district councils earlier this year.
The 77-year-old was arrested on Friday, just before he was allegedly about to carry out coffin to stage a protest outside an electoral office.
Beijing and its local offices offer congratulations to winning candidates, say vote important in implementing the principle of ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’.
Political leaders Regina Ip, Stanley Ng and Priscilla Leung hit out at glitch that prompted extension of voting hours, with John Lee vowing investigation into failure.
Participation rate hits record low 27.54 per cent, but pro-establishment heavyweights say they are confident the turnout will not disappoint Beijing.
Hong Kong on election day splits into two camps, with one eager to vote out of civic duty and others giving polling stations wide berth over lack of political diversity.
Voters based in mainland China welcome polling stations set up near border and bus trips to ensure they can join first district election since municipal bodies’ overhaul.
City’s 4.3 million registered voters had a chance to pick 88 of 470 members of 18 district councils.
Government organises string of events aimed at drumming up enthusiasm for poll, but residents divided on the effectiveness.
