What is LegCo in the Hong Kong SAR: A 30-Second Explanation.
Hong Kong's LegCo serves as a law-making body with the authority to pass and change statutes for the region. Nonetheless, electoral processes for this assembly have seen a sharp reduction in substantive competing voices amid major governance transformations in recent years.
After the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, a principle of "one nation, two systems" was put in place, pledging that Hong Kong would maintain a degree of autonomy. In the years since, analysts argue that democratic rights have been systematically curtailed.
Major Events and Reforms
During 2014, legislation was introduced that aimed to allow residents to choose the Chief Executive. Notably, any such election was confined to nominees pre-approved by central authorities.
The year 2019 saw months of demonstrations, which featured an event where residents breached the legislative complex to express anger against a controversial extradition bill.
The Effect of the National Security Law
Passed in mid-2020, the NSL handed new legal tools to the mainland over Hong Kong's governance. Conduct such as secession were outlawed. In the wake of this law, all significant opposition organization disbanded.
The Present Electoral System
Elections for the legislature are considered Hong Kong's key democratic process. Nevertheless, laws established in recent years now guarantee that only candidates deemed pro-establishment are able to contest seats.
- Membership Structure: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
- Other Positions: The rest are appointed by a special interest groups.
- Code of Conduct: Recent proposed requirements would require legislators to unequivocally back central authority.
Electoral Turnout
Given many means of expression now restricted, abstaining from voting has emerged as one of the remaining safe ways for residents to show disapproval. This has led to unprecedentedly low participation rates in the latest LegCo contests.
