Andrew Chiu Severs Links With Primary Poll

Power for Democracy convenor Andrew Chiu on Thursday became the second coordinator for the opposition camp’s primary poll to cut all ties with the exercise in as many days, after former lawmaker Au Nok-hin pulled out, citing concerns over the new national security law.

Chiu did not explicitly refer to the new law in a Facebook post announcing his decision, which he said was made after careful consideration, but said he has a responsibility to the people around him and his organisation.

He said that as the final results of the primary elections have been released, his role as a coordinator has now concluded.

Au had said he was severing links with the poll because of Beijing’s recent allegations that the poll might violate the national security law.

More than 600,000 people cast their ballots in the poll last weekend, despite warnings from the authorities that the vote could violate the security law.