What is the Legislative Council in Hong Kong: A 30-Second Explanation.
Hong Kong's Legislative Council operates as a mini parliament with the mandate to create and amend legislation for the city. However, polls for this assembly have seen a notable absence in genuine political alternatives amid sweeping political overhauls in recent years.
After the 1997 handover, a principle of "one country, two systems" was established, pledging that Hong Kong would retain a measure of autonomy. Over time, critics contend that these freedoms have been systematically curtailed.
Key Milestones and Shifts
In 2014, a proposal was tabled that was designed to allow residents to vote for the city's leader. Importantly, any such election was limited to contenders pre-approved by central authorities.
During 2019 saw widespread demonstrations, which featured an event where protesters accessed the legislative complex to voice opposition against a contentious law.
The Effect of the National Security Law
Passed in mid-2020, the National Security Law provided extensive authority to the mainland over Hong Kong's affairs. Conduct such as collusion were made illegal. In the wake of this law, the primary democratic party ceased operations.
The Present Election System
LegCo elections are viewed as Hong Kong's main electoral process. However, laws established in recent years now guarantee that only candidates deemed pro-establishment are eligible to contest seats.
- Seat Composition: Now, only 20 out of 90 seats are chosen by popular vote.
- Remaining Seats: The majority are chosen by a government-aligned body.
- Code of Conduct: Recent proposed requirements would mandate legislators to publicly support central authority.
Voter Behavior
Amid many means of expression now curtailed, voter abstention has become one of the limited safe ways for residents to express dissent. This has led to unprecedentedly low voter turnout in recent LegCo polls.
