Hong Kong delays election until 2021

CHIEF executive Carrie Lam yesterday announced the postponement of Hong Kong’s highly anticipated legislative elections by a year, blaming a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

The Hong Kong government is invoking emergency regulations to postpone voting until September 5, 2021. Lam said the decision had Beijing’s support.

“The announcement I have to make is the most difficult decision I’ve had to make in the past seven months,” Lam said. “But we want to ensure fairness and public safety and health, and need to make sure the election is held in an open, fair and impartial manner. This decision is therefore essential.”

The postponement will be felt as a setback for the pro-democracy opposition, which was hoping to capitalise on disenchantment with the current pro-Beijing majority to make gains. A group of 22 legislators issued a statement accusing the government of using the outbreak as an excuse to delay the vote. It said: “Incumbent pro-democracy legislators, who represent 60% of the public’s opinion, collectively oppose the postponement and emphasise the responsibility of the government to make every effort to hold elections in September as scheduled.

“Otherwise, it is tantamount to uprooting the foundation of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”

The lead-up to the election, originally scheduled for September 6, has been closely watched after a new national security law stipulated candidates who violated the law could not run.

The law is seen as Beijing’s attempt to curb dissent in the city. On Thursday, 12 pro-democracy candidates, including prominent activist Joshua Wong were disqualified.