Defining LegCo in Hong Kong: A Quick Guide.
Hong Kong's Legislative Council operates as a law-making body with the power to pass and change legislation for the region. Nonetheless, elections for this assembly have witnessed a sharp reduction in substantive competing voices during a period of sweeping governance transformations in the last decade.
Following the 1997 handover, a model of "one nation, two systems" was promised, pledging that Hong Kong would keep a level of self-governance. Over time, critics contend that civil liberties have been increasingly eroded.
Major Milestones and Changes
Back in 2014, a proposal was tabled that aimed to allow residents to vote for the city's leader. Critically, the selection was restricted to contenders sanctioned by Beijing.
During 2019 experienced extensive demonstrations, which featured an incident where residents entered the legislative complex to express anger against a contentious law.
The Consequence of the National Security Law
Implemented in mid-2020, the NSL provided extensive authority to central authorities over Hong Kong's governance. Conduct such as secession were outlawed. Following this law, the primary democratic party disbanded.
The Present Electoral Framework
The council polls are viewed as Hong Kong's key electoral process. Nevertheless, regulations established in the past few years now stipulate that only hopefuls deemed "patriots" are permitted to run for office.
- Distribution of Seats: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are chosen by popular vote.
- The Majority: The majority are selected by a pro-establishment committee.
- Proposed Standards: Newly proposed standards would compel legislators to "sincerely support" the mainland's oversight.
Electoral Turnout
Given many means of expression now criminalized, abstaining from voting has become one of the limited peaceful ways for residents to express dissent. Consequently historically low participation rates in the latest LegCo contests.
