Defining the Legislative Council in Hong Kong: A Quick Explanation.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's LegCo serves as a law-making body with the power to create and amend legislation for the region. Yet, electoral processes for this council have witnessed a significant decline in meaningful opposition during a period of major governance changes in recent years.
After the return to Chinese administration, a framework of "one nation, two systems" was promised, pledging that Hong Kong would keep a measure of self-governance. In the years since, observers note that democratic rights have been increasingly eroded.
Major Events and Reforms
During 2014, a bill was introduced that was designed to allow residents to choose the city's leader. Importantly, any such election was limited to contenders sanctioned by the mainland government.
The year 2019 was marked by months of demonstrations, culminating in an episode where protesters breached the legislative complex to express anger against a contentious extradition bill.
The Consequence of the Security Legislation
Implemented in 2020, the National Security Law provided unprecedented powers to central authorities over Hong Kong's internal matters. Acts such as collusion were criminalized. In the wake of this law, all significant political group dissolved.
Today's Electoral System
LegCo elections are viewed as Hong Kong's key political exercise. Nevertheless, rules established in recent years now guarantee that only individuals deemed pro-establishment are permitted to run for office.
- Distribution of Seats: At present, only 20 out of 90 seats are chosen by popular vote.
- Other Positions: The rest are appointed by a special interest groups.
- Code of Conduct: Newly suggested requirements would require legislators to unequivocally back central authority.
Public Response
With most means of expression now criminalized, voter abstention has been seen as one of the few safe ways for residents to express dissent. As a result record low voter turnout in subsequent LegCo elections.
