HK disqualifies 12 Oppn nominees

Hong Kong, July 30: At least 12 Hong Kong prodemocracy nominees including Joshua Wong were disqualified for a September legislative election, with authorities saying Wednesday they failed to uphold the city's mini-constitution and pledge allegiance to Hong Kong and Beijing.

Others who were disqualified include prominent pro-democracy activist Tiffany Yuen from the disbanded political organisation Demosisto, as well as incumbent lawmaker Dennis Kwok and three others from the pro-democracy Civic Party. It marks a a setback for the pro-democracy camp, which had aimed to win a majority of seats in the legislature this year.

Earlier this month, they held an unofficial primary, with candidates like Wong topping the polls. Wong and many pro-democracy nominees had been asked to clarify their political stance earlier this week as their nominations were being reviewed. Other nominations were still being reviewed, the government said in a statement expressing support for the disqualifications.

“We do not rule out the possibility that more nominations would be invalidated,” it said. Earlier Thursday, Hong

Kong pro-democracy activist Lee Cheuk-yan rebuked a tough national security law that Beijing had imposed following last year’s massive protests calling for greater freedoms. He criticized authorities for arresting four youths on suspicion of inciting trouble.