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China bans pro-democracy candidates in Macau elections
Also: In first for Macau, election chiefs disqualify 21 opposition members from running in September legislative elections (South China Morning Post)
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Source: The Guardian
China bans pro-democracy candidates in Macau elections
Move mirrors crackdown in Hong Kong and comes despite pledges the territory would have high levels of autonomy
Helen Davidson in Taipei
@heldavidson
Tue 13 Jul 2021 11.04 BST
China’s crackdown on pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong appears to have spread to Macau, where 21 candidates, including veteran legislators, have been disqualified from forthcoming elections.
Most of those disqualified have vowed to challenge the ruling by the territory’s electoral commission, warning that Beijing and pro-Beijing authorities are “changing the deal” they have with Macau, despite its “stability”.
On Friday the head of the electoral commission, Tong Hio Fong, announced that 21 candidates – including all 15 listed under the banners of three pro-democracy groups – had been disqualified from running in Macau’s 12 September elections. Some of those banned are sitting legislators who have served for decades.
Macau, a former Portuguese colony, was returned to Chinese rule in 1999 under the “one country, two systems” policy, and – like Hong Kong in 1997 – was promised 50 years of a high degree of autonomy. Politically, it has not shown the same level of activism as Hong Kong, but as Beijing tightens control over its territories, Macau’s elections appear to be in its sights.
Of its 33-seat legislature, 14 are elected by popular vote, while the rest are elected by business or social sectors or directly appointed by the chief executive. Under its national security law, in place since 2009, Macau requires popular election candidates to formally declare support for the Macau Basic Law and their loyalty to the jurisdiction. Those who refuse are ineligible, but Friday’s announcement has revealed the electoral commission is now investigating the sincerity of candidates’ pledges.
-snip-
Move mirrors crackdown in Hong Kong and comes despite pledges the territory would have high levels of autonomy
Helen Davidson in Taipei
@heldavidson
Tue 13 Jul 2021 11.04 BST
China’s crackdown on pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong appears to have spread to Macau, where 21 candidates, including veteran legislators, have been disqualified from forthcoming elections.
Most of those disqualified have vowed to challenge the ruling by the territory’s electoral commission, warning that Beijing and pro-Beijing authorities are “changing the deal” they have with Macau, despite its “stability”.
On Friday the head of the electoral commission, Tong Hio Fong, announced that 21 candidates – including all 15 listed under the banners of three pro-democracy groups – had been disqualified from running in Macau’s 12 September elections. Some of those banned are sitting legislators who have served for decades.
Macau, a former Portuguese colony, was returned to Chinese rule in 1999 under the “one country, two systems” policy, and – like Hong Kong in 1997 – was promised 50 years of a high degree of autonomy. Politically, it has not shown the same level of activism as Hong Kong, but as Beijing tightens control over its territories, Macau’s elections appear to be in its sights.
Of its 33-seat legislature, 14 are elected by popular vote, while the rest are elected by business or social sectors or directly appointed by the chief executive. Under its national security law, in place since 2009, Macau requires popular election candidates to formally declare support for the Macau Basic Law and their loyalty to the jurisdiction. Those who refuse are ineligible, but Friday’s announcement has revealed the electoral commission is now investigating the sincerity of candidates’ pledges.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/13/china-bans-pro-democracy-candidates-in-macau-elections
______________________________________________________________________
Source: South China Morning Post
In first for Macau, election chiefs disqualify 21 opposition members from running in September legislative elections
Danny Mok
Published: 12:20am, 10 Jul, 2021
Election chiefs in Macau have taken the unprecedented step of disqualifying 21 opposition figures from the coming legislative elections for failing to pledge allegiance to the city and its mini-constitution.
Tong Hio-fong, president of the Electoral Affairs Commission, said on Friday the hopefuls running for the September 12 polls did not meet allegiance requirements.
“There is evidence showing the hopefuls in six electoral lists don’t uphold the Basic Law of Macau or pledge allegiance to the Macau Special Administrative Region,” he said. “Therefore, in accordance with the local electoral laws, these hopefuls don’t have qualifications for running in the election.”
Tong did not provide details on how the disqualified members from six different opposition parties were disloyal, saying the commission had made its analysis and judgment based on information provided by the police and security bureau.
-snip-
Danny Mok
Published: 12:20am, 10 Jul, 2021
Election chiefs in Macau have taken the unprecedented step of disqualifying 21 opposition figures from the coming legislative elections for failing to pledge allegiance to the city and its mini-constitution.
Tong Hio-fong, president of the Electoral Affairs Commission, said on Friday the hopefuls running for the September 12 polls did not meet allegiance requirements.
“There is evidence showing the hopefuls in six electoral lists don’t uphold the Basic Law of Macau or pledge allegiance to the Macau Special Administrative Region,” he said. “Therefore, in accordance with the local electoral laws, these hopefuls don’t have qualifications for running in the election.”
Tong did not provide details on how the disqualified members from six different opposition parties were disloyal, saying the commission had made its analysis and judgment based on information provided by the police and security bureau.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3140585/first-macau-election-chiefs-disqualify-21-opposition-members-running-september
