Joshua Wong Disqualified From District Council Race

Demosisto leader Joshua Wong has become the only candidate to be banned from running in November’s District Council Election over his political stance, after returning officer Laura Aron ruled his nomination invalid on Tuesday morning.

In a press release, the government said it agrees and supports the decision by the returning officer.

It said Wong cannot possibly comply with the requirements of local electoral laws, because advocating or promoting “self-determination” violates the Basic Law and contradicts a declaration he previously made pledging allegiance to the HKSAR.

Authorities stressed there is no question of any political censorship, restriction of the freedom of speech or deprivation of the right to stand for elections as alleged by some members of the community.

Wong, who was planning to run in the South Horizons West constituency, will meet the press on Tuesday afternoon at Civic Square in Admiralty to give his response.

The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) said on Thursday that the elections officer in Southern District who had originally been vetting Wong’s candidacy, Dorothy Ma, had taken sick leave indefinitely.

Wong said he had answered her questions about his stance on Hong Kong independence and whether he still supports the notion that the people should determine the city’s future.

His response was that he does want Hongkongers to have this right, but only after 2047, and under the constitutional framework of One Country, Two Systems.

Wong also said he supports the idea of a non-binding referendum for people to have a say over Hong Kong's future, but that he's against independence.

Ma went on leave before making a decision.

Yau Tsim Mong district officer, Laura Aron, took over her duties, and sent him a letter again asking him to clarify his stance on self-determination, ultimately making her mind to reject his candidacy several days later.

Several other pro-democracy candidates were asked about their stance on Hong Kong independence and self determination, but all were allowed to proceed.

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