Poll Ban Challenge For The HK People: Agnes Chow

Pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow has filed a petition at the High Court against her Legco poll ban, saying the move is not for personal reasons or her career prospects, but to ensure that the political and electoral rights of the Hong Kong people are upheld.

The Demosisto party member was disqualified from the Hong Kong Island by-election in March by returning officer Anne Teng, because of the party’s advocacy of self-determination for the city's residents. Teng said this stance is inconsistent with the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as enshrined in the Basic Law.

Outside the court on Tuesday, Chan said the returning officer's decision was unjust and she had not been given a chance to explain her party's stance.

"We have repeatedly said many, many times that Demosisto is not a political party advocating Hong Kong independence. We advocate democratic self-determination because we believe that Hong Kong people should be a part of the decision on Hong Kong's future," Chow said.

Chow told RTHK's Richard Pyne she would not rule out making another attempt at running for Legco if her election petition is successful and the result of the March poll is overturned.

"The most important thing is not my personal issue ... or my own political career. The most important thing is that I believe that Hong Kong's people's basic political and elections rights and also freedom of expression should be ensured by our judicial system."

The by-election for Hong Kong Island was won by Au Nok-hin – the candidate put up by the pro-democracy camp to replace Chow following her disqualification.

Au said he respects Chow's decision to challenge the election result. He said he would not speculate on the chance of him standing again in the event of an election re-run.