Hong Kong’s electoral system is undergoing a major overhaul. The Chinese parliament gave the green light for this on Thursday, reports South China Morning Post. Critics fear that the pro-democratic opposition in the former British crown colony will now be further sidelined.
The newspaper writes that it paved the way for the largest electoral reform in the metropolis since 1997.
The United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to the Communist People’s Republic in that year. It promised that Hong Kong would receive autonomous status for another half century. The city has its own legal system and parliament, although not all parliamentarians are directly elected by the voter.
China previously introduced a controversial security law and is now further tightening its grip on Hong Kong.
Electoral College will receive hundreds of additional pro-China administrators
State media reports that the composition of the electoral college that elects Hong Kong’s chief executive is being changed. Hundreds of members are added who are seen as pro-Beijing. Seats that are now reserved for local Hong Kong administrators are expected to be scrapped. These politicians often belong to the opposition camp.
In addition, there will be a committee that will judge candidates for the electoral college and parliament of Hong Kong. In effect, this means that members who are seen as insufficiently “patriotic” can soon be banned. The Hong Kong parliament will also receive dozens more seats.
The Chinese parliament, the National People’s Congress, has authorized its Standing Committee to further develop the reforms, according to the newspaper.
– .
