Hong Kong's LegCo operates as a law-making body with the mandate to enact and revise statutes for the region. Yet, electoral processes for this council have seen a notable absence in substantive competing voices amid sweeping political overhauls in the past few years.
Following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, a principle of "one nation, two systems" was promised, pledging that Hong Kong would maintain a measure of self-governance. In the years since, critics contend that these freedoms have been steadily diminished.
Key Events and Changes
During 2014, a proposal was tabled that was designed to allow residents to elect the head of government. Critically, any such election was limited to contenders pre-approved by central authorities.
The year 2019 experienced widespread protests, which featured an event where protesters entered the government building to demonstrate against a controversial extradition bill.
The Impact of the National Security Law
Passed in mid-2020, the National Security Law handed unprecedented powers to Beijing over Hong Kong's affairs. Conduct such as collusion were made illegal. In the wake of this law, every major democratic party disbanded.
The Current Election System
LegCo elections are considered Hong Kong's key electoral process. Nevertheless, laws introduced in 2021 now stipulate that only candidates deemed loyal are eligible to run for office.
- Seat Composition: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are filled by public ballot.
- The Majority: The majority are chosen by a special interest groups.
- Code of Conduct: Recent drafted standards would mandate legislators to publicly support the mainland's oversight.
Electoral Turnout
With many forms of protest now criminalized, abstaining from voting has emerged as one of the limited safe ways for residents to show disapproval. Consequently record low participation rates in recent LegCo elections.
