Understanding the Legislative Council in the Hong Kong SAR: A Brief Explanation.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Legislative Council serves as a law-making body with the mandate to pass and change laws for the region. Nonetheless, electoral processes for this assembly have seen a significant decline in meaningful opposition against a backdrop of major governance overhauls in the past few years.
Subsequent to the 1997 handover, a principle of "one nation, two systems" was established, pledging that Hong Kong would retain a measure of self-governance. Over time, observers note that civil liberties have been systematically curtailed.
Significant Developments and Changes
Back in 2014, a bill was put forward that was designed to allow residents to elect the head of government. Importantly, any such election was limited to nominees sanctioned by the mainland government.
In 2019 experienced widespread protests, including an episode where residents accessed the government building to express anger against a proposed legal amendment.
The Effect of the NSL
Implemented in mid-2020, the security legislation provided new legal tools to the mainland over Hong Kong's affairs. Conduct such as subversion were criminalized. Following this law, all significant opposition organization disbanded.
The Current Electoral Process
The council polls are considered Hong Kong's main political event. Nevertheless, laws enacted in recent years now stipulate that only candidates deemed pro-establishment are eligible to contest seats.
- Membership Structure: At present, only 20 out of 90 seats are filled by public ballot.
- Other Positions: The balance are appointed by a pro-establishment committee.
- Code of Conduct: Recent proposed requirements would mandate legislators to publicly support the mainland's oversight.
Public Response
Amid other forms of protest now curtailed, voter abstention has been seen as one of the remaining peaceful ways for residents to register discontent. This has led to record low voter turnout in recent LegCo elections.
