Defining LegCo in the Hong Kong SAR: A Brief Guide.
Hong Kong's LegCo functions as a regional legislature with the power to enact and revise statutes for the region. Yet, elections for this assembly have witnessed a notable absence in meaningful opposition during a period of major systemic overhauls in the past few years.
After the return to Chinese administration, a model of a dual-system arrangement was put in place, pledging that Hong Kong would retain a level of independence. In the years since, critics contend that these freedoms have been increasingly eroded.
Significant Events and Changes
In 2014, legislation was introduced that was designed to allow residents to vote for the city's leader. Critically, any such election was restricted to candidates pre-approved by Beijing.
In 2019 experienced months of demonstrations, which featured an event where demonstrators accessed the parliamentary premises to voice opposition against a proposed legal amendment.
The Effect of the NSL
Passed in June 2020, the National Security Law granted new legal tools to Beijing over Hong Kong's affairs. Acts such as secession were criminalized. After this law, the primary democratic party ceased operations.
The Present Electoral System
Elections for the legislature are considered Hong Kong's primary political exercise. But, laws established in recent years now stipulate that only candidates deemed "patriots" are eligible to run for office.
- Membership Structure: At present, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
- The Majority: The majority are appointed by a government-aligned body.
- New Rules: Additionally suggested requirements would mandate legislators to unequivocally back the mainland's oversight.
Electoral Turnout
Given most forms of protest now criminalized, not voting has emerged as one of the few legal ways for residents to express dissent. This has led to record low electoral engagement in the latest LegCo contests.
