Hong Kong authorities have confirmed the eligibility of all 161 candidates who will compete for 90 seats in the upcoming Legislative Council (LegCo) elections. These elections, which are part of a broader shift towards a “patriots only” system, are set to take place next month.
The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee has verified that all candidates who submitted their nominations met the requirements of upholding the Basic Law and pledging allegiance to Hong Kong. This confirmation was made by Chief Secretary Eric Chan during a press conference on Monday. The announcement follows the closure of the nomination period on Thursday.
Nearly 40% of the current lawmakers, including notable figures such as Regina Ip, Michael Tien, and Paul Tse, have decided not to run for re-election. Chan emphasized that confirming the candidates’ eligibility early allows them to begin their campaign efforts sooner, as the election is less than a month away.
He encouraged the candidates to make the most of this opportunity, demonstrating their aspirations and showcasing Hong Kong’s “high-quality election culture” through professional and fair competition. “This will display healthy competition and a positive, high-quality election culture, embodying Hong Kong’s high-quality democracy,” he said in Cantonese.
In addition, the government announced the organization of 39 “Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance” election forums starting on Tuesday. These forums will be open to the public and will welcome media coverage. The events will be broadcast on RTHK, the government-managed broadcaster, and livestreamed on the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau’s Facebook page.
Previously, election forums were organized by various media outlets in Hong Kong. On Monday, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office published an article under a pen name, praising the 161 confirmed candidates as “patriotic, committed, competent, aspirational, and excellent.”
The office noted that while some incumbent lawmakers chose not to seek re-election, more than 50 others are running again for another term. This aligns with “the principle of orderly replacement in democratic elections.” It also urged the candidates to compete based on their abilities and the merit of their platforms, while rejecting “ingrained bad practices” such as forming factions.
“They absolutely must not, like the anti-China destabilising elements of the past, spread rumours, leak damaging information, engage in smear campaigns, attack and slander rivals, or tear apart the community,” the article stated.
Meanwhile, three men aged between 24 and 80 were arrested on Sunday and Monday for allegedly damaging LegCo election promotional posters, retractable banners, and campaign flags. A 50-year-old man was held in police custody for alleged criminal damage after destroying campaign flags outside Sham Shui Po MTR Station on Sunday.
An 80-year-old man was released on police bail after being apprehended for damaging four retractable banners in Tseung Kwan O. A 24-year-old man was detained on Monday for allegedly damaging 136 posters in Chai Wan.
Earlier this month, police arrested three men and three boys in four separate cases related to the damage and theft of LegCo election promotional posters and campaign flags.
In March 2021, Beijing passed legislation to ensure that “patriots” govern Hong Kong. This move significantly reduced democratic representation in the legislature, tightened control over elections, and introduced a pro-Beijing vetting panel to select candidates. The Hong Kong government stated that the overhaul would ensure the city’s stability and prosperity. However, the changes have drawn international criticism, as they make it nearly impossible for pro-democracy candidates to participate in the electoral process.