KATHMANDU: The Chinese territory has disqualified as many as 12 pro-democracy candidates including prominent youth leader Joshua Wong from taking part in upcoming elections to be held in November.
According to Wong, who emerged prominent as a teenage activist during the 2014 Umbrella protests, his candidature was canceled as he described the new national security law as draconian.
Posting a twitter message, Joshua said, “I was disqualified from LegCo election in Hong Kong. The excuse they use is that I describe #nationalsecuritylaw as a draconian law, which shows that I do not support this sweeping law,”
[I was just disqualified from LegCo election, despite being the biggest winner in #Hkprimaries]
1. Few minutes ago, I was just disqualified from running in the upcoming LegCo election in #Hongkong, even though I got the highest vote share in the primary, w/ 30000+ votes obtained pic.twitter.com/sC3XWbBlsq
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 ? (@joshuawongcf) July 30, 2020
The China government has said a candidate will not be allowed to contest the elections if he or she indulges in promoting or advocating Hong Kong’s independence; wanted foreign powers or government to intervene in the region’s politics; protested against Beijing.
The Hong Kong LegCo or Legislative Council is made up of 70 seats of which the public directly votes for 35 seats.
According to a BBC report, another 30 seats represent functional constituencies – these are voted for by smaller groups representing special interests, primarily businesses, banking and trade. Historically these sectors have been largely pro-Beijing.
The remaining five seats are made up of district councilors who are elected by the public to sit on LegCo.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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