Hong Kong elections should go ahead as planned
- Social unrest must not be allowed to delay or disrupt district council polls on November 24, and process has to be conducted in fair, open and safe manner
Nominations for the district council elections have begun amid escalating political tensions. With the vote on November 24 not too far away, this may well be the first time Hongkongers go to the polls in times of raging social unrest.
The government, while going ahead with the vote, has also sensibly explored contingency plans, such as reserving the following Sunday for election day as backup.
But it takes more than well-thought-out arrangements to maintain the integrity of the city’s elections. Restraint is needed from all sides to ensure the electoral process can be conducted in a fair, open and safe manner.
The government was criticised in recent years for disqualifying candidates it perceived as pushing the separatist cause, and the ongoing crisis triggered by the now-shelved extradition bill has inevitably fuelled public sentiment further.
While it is certainly a sensitive time to hold a citywide election, it remains to be seen whether the process will be marred by violence.
To postpone or cancel the vote as suggested by some pro-Beijing politicians may give the impression that it is being put back to save government allies from a possible landslide defeat.
The government has rightly resisted the calls.
Plan mulled to partially cancel district council elections if vote disrupted
Under the District Councils Ordinance, the chief executive may postpone or adjourn the polls and the counting of votes if they are likely to be obstructed, disrupted, undermined or seriously affected by riot or open violence or any danger to public health or safety.
Should another ballot not be held as planned, resulting in a vacuum of the district councils, an amendment to the ordinance shall be submitted to the legislature to deal with the situation, according to the government.
Separately, the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance prohibits the use of force or duress to induce someone to vote or not to vote at an election. Therefore, there appears to be adequate provision in the ordinances to deal with any possible challenges.
Despite the lack of full democracy, our elections are by and large fair and clean. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure that voters can exercise their rights without fear and duress. It would be a shame if the vote is delayed and electoral integrity compromised.
