CE Election Committee To Choose Some Legco Members

The election committee that chooses Hong Kong's chief executive will participate in the nomination of all Legco candidates and pick some members of the council itself, as part of drastic changes to the SAR's electoral system planned by Beijing.

The National People's Congress (NPC) was also told on Friday that there will be changes to the size, composition and method for forming the election committee, which will retain its role in selecting the CE.

Vice-chairman of the NPC, Wang Chen, told delegates at the annual session in Beijing that there will need to be amendments to annexes 1 and 2 of the Basic Law, rather than the actual provisions of the mini-constitution.

"The size, composition and formation method of the election committee will be adjusted and improved. The chief executive will continue to be elected by the election committee. The election committee will be entrusted with the new function of electing a relatively large share of Legco members and directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the Legco," Wang said.

"A mechanism of qualification review will be established throughout the entire electoral process," he added.

Media reports said earlier that the election committee will be expanded to 1,500 members, but the 117 district councillor seats will be scrapped.

Wang said there is a pressing need to reform the SAR's electoral system, because in recent years, "clear loopholes and deficiencies" have allowed "anti-China, destabilising elements" to undermine the nation's sovereignty, safety and interests, as well as the authority of the SAR’s Basic Law and the national security law.

He said the proposals will establish a new democratic election system with "Hong Kong characteristics", which will ensure that only "patriots" can rule the territory.

The proposals will be discussed during the NPC plenary session in the coming days.