HONG KONG –
A Hong Kong election fee will vote on Sunday for the town’s sole management candidate, John Lee, who’s broadly anticipated to win and develop into Hong Kong’s subsequent chief govt.
The committee, which consists of practically 1,500 principally pro-Beijing members, is voting in a two-and-a-half-hour secret poll. Lee wanted greater than 750 votes to win the election.
As the one candidate within the polls, Lee is predicted to win simply, particularly since he’s endorsed by Beijing and final month acquired 786 nominations from members of the Election Fee. vote to assist his candidacy.
Sunday’s election follows main modifications to Hong Kong’s election legal guidelines final yr to make sure that solely “patriots” loyal to Beijing can maintain workplace. The legislature was additionally reorganized for all however opposition voices.
The meticulous preparations round predetermined outcomes converse to Beijing’s need for democracy. Though they are going to vote by secret poll, Hong Kong’s electors have all been fastidiously vetted.
On Sunday morning, three members of the League of Social Democrats, a neighborhood activist group, protested the election by making an attempt to march to the polling place whereas displaying a preferred demand banner. Suffrage permits Hong Kongers to vote for each the legislature and the top. working.
“Human rights over rights, individuals over water,” reads the banner. “One individual, one vote for the CEO. Implement common suffrage instantly.”
One protester was handing out leaflets earlier than police arrived and tied up protesters and banners. Police additionally searched the protesters’ belongings and eliminated their private particulars, though no arrests have been made instantly.
Professional-democracy factions in Hong Kong have lengthy demanded common suffrage, as they promised the town in its mini-constitution, the Fundamental Regulation. This was additionally the principle demand through the Umbrella Revolution protests of 2014 and the anti-government protests of 2019.
Lee as Hong Kong’s future chief has raised considerations that Beijing might additional tighten its grip on Hong Kong. He has spent most of his civil service profession within the police and safety bureau, and is an outspoken and staunch advocate of the nationwide safety legislation to be launched to Hong Kong in 2020 geared toward quelling dissent. political opinion.
His rise stemmed from huge anti-government protests in 2019, which changed into violent clashes. As safety secretary, he oversaw a police operation to confront protesters with tear fuel and rubber bullets, then spherical up lots of them for later arrest.
Greater than 150 individuals have been arrested beneath the safety legislation, which prohibits secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with international forces to intervene in metropolis affairs. Nearly the entire distinguished pro-democracy activists have been jailed, others have fled overseas or been threatened in silence.
1000’s of residents have fled the town of seven.4 million individuals amid the 2019 protests and harsh post-pandemic restrictions, together with many professionals and expats.
In the course of the marketing campaign path within the weeks main as much as Sunday’s vote, Lee pledged long-awaited native laws to guard from safety threats and pledged to extend the provision of properties. in the most costly actual property market on the planet.
He additionally stated he would improve the town’s competitiveness and lay a stable basis for Hong Kong’s growth.
If elected, Lee will substitute present chief Carrie Lam on July 1.
