Tam Yiu-chung Doubles Down On Election Ban Call

Hong Kong's sole member on the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Tam Yiu-chung, reiterated on Thursday that he believes opponents of the city's future national security legislation must be banned from running in September's Legco elections.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Thursday, Tam said the Basic Law makes clear the importance of upholding national security and therefore anyone who rejects the new legislation would fail to uphold the city's mini constitution.

But he added that this is only his personal view, and he is not speaking on behalf of Beijing or the SAR government, although he said a lot of lawmakers and people in society agree with him.

He said that in the end, whether or not a would-be election candidate is to be disqualified will be up to a returning officer to decide.

Tam first made his call for an election ban on critics of the national security legislation in an interview with the Bauhinia Magazine.

Pan-democratic lawmakers said on Wednesday that it is clear that Tam "and his masters in Beijing" are seeking to completely wipe out the city's opposition camp, as well as to intimidate serving politicians and future poll candidates.