Legislative Council (LegCo) General Elections, which were scheduled to hold in Hong Kong in September, have been postponed by a year. This decision was made by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, who invoked emergency powers with the backing of the central government in China.

The Chief Executive cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the postponement but critics disagree, insisting it is a coy move at a power grab, and an excuse to stop citizens from voting in a crucial election.  But Lam insists it is a difficult decision and guarantees fairness when the elections eventually hold. “This postponement is entirely made based on public safety reasons, there were no political considerations,” Lam said during a press conference. 

Issues to Consider

• In June, the COVID-19 transmission rate in Hong Kong had fallen to a zero count and restrictions were relaxed. However, in July new cases were reported, signalling the second wave of a major outbreak. A winter outbreak is also likely to occur if a vaccine is not developed early enough.
• The Hong Kong Government barred 12 pro-democracy candidates including four sitting law-makers and prominent activist Joshua Wong from running for office in the Legislative Council Election, on grounds of not upholding Hong Kong’s De Facto constitution.
• Last year, pro-democracy candidates won a landslide victory in local council elections. They had hoped to record same winning pattern in the legislative council elections, giving them the opportunity to further contest the national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong, and pressure Chief Lam to resign.
• Four activists accused of posting pro-independence messages online were arrested in the 22nd July. 

The second wave of COVID-19 infections may top the concerns of the current government but so is the prolonged political crisis that has resulted in rolling protests and an impending constitutional crisis that can threaten business-as-usual for the semi-autonomous region and its leaders. The crackdown on pro-democracy groups and activists is sending a clear message to citizens of Hong Kong, that dissent will not be tolerated. Hong Kong government has come under heavy scrutiny for indiscriminate arrests and disappearance.