Understanding LegCo in the Hong Kong SAR: A Brief Guide.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Legislative Council serves as a mini parliament with the power to create and amend laws for the city. However, elections for this assembly have experienced a notable absence in substantive competing voices amid sweeping political transformations in the last decade.
Subsequent to the 1997 handover, a model of "one nation, two systems" was established, guaranteeing that Hong Kong would maintain a measure of self-governance. In the years since, observers note that these freedoms have been increasingly eroded.
Significant Events and Shifts
In 2014, a bill was tabled that aimed to allow residents to choose the city's leader. Critically, any such election was restricted to candidates pre-approved by the mainland government.
In 2019 saw widespread demonstrations, culminating in an incident where protesters accessed the government building to voice opposition against a controversial law.
The Impact of the Security Legislation
Enacted in mid-2020, the NSL handed unprecedented powers to Beijing over Hong Kong's internal matters. Conduct such as secession were outlawed. After this law, the primary opposition organization disbanded.
Today's Electoral System
The council polls are considered Hong Kong's key electoral exercise. Nevertheless, laws established in 2021 now guarantee that only hopefuls deemed pro-establishment are able to stand for election.
- Membership Structure: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are chosen by popular vote.
- Remaining Seats: The balance are chosen by a special interest groups.
- Code of Conduct: Additionally suggested rules would require legislators to "sincerely support" Beijing's jurisdiction.
Public Response
With most avenues for dissent now curtailed, voter abstention has been seen as one of the limited safe ways for residents to express dissent. Consequently historically low voter turnout in the latest LegCo polls.
