What is the Legislative Council in Hong Kong: A Quick Guide.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Legislative Council functions as a law-making body with the power to pass and change statutes for the region. However, elections for this council have seen a significant decline in meaningful opposition during a period of sweeping governance overhauls in the last decade.
After the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, a model of "one country, two systems" was established, guaranteeing that Hong Kong would retain a measure of independence. Over time, observers note that democratic rights have been increasingly eroded.
Key Milestones and Reforms
In 2014, a bill was tabled that was designed to allow residents to elect the city's leader. Importantly, this process was confined to nominees sanctioned by Beijing.
During 2019 saw widespread protests, which featured an incident where residents breached the parliamentary premises to express anger against a contentious extradition bill.
The Effect of the NSL
Implemented in mid-2020, the NSL handed extensive authority to central authorities over Hong Kong's governance. Activities such as subversion were criminalized. Following this law, the primary democratic party dissolved.
Today's Election System
LegCo elections are viewed as Hong Kong's primary democratic event. But, rules established in the past few years now guarantee that only hopefuls deemed pro-establishment are eligible to run for office.
- Seat Composition: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
- Other Positions: The balance are selected by a government-aligned body.
- Code of Conduct: Additionally suggested standards would mandate legislators to publicly support central authority.
Electoral Turnout
Amid many forms of protest now criminalized, abstaining from voting has emerged as one of the limited legal ways for residents to show disapproval. Consequently historically low electoral engagement in the latest LegCo contests.
