Hong Kong to vote: 'big absentee' Democratic Party, first time since '94

The election is scheduled for 10 December and will cover all 18 district councils in the former British colony. Only pro-Beijing candidates will be present. For the democrats' president Lo Kin-hei, the new rules endorse an imbalance of power and strength. The Chief Executive calls the new rules fair and open.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The Democratic Party of Hong Kong will not participate in the next ordinary district council elections, scheduled for next month, having not obtained a sufficient number of candidates based on the new rules introduced by the authorities.

This is therefore the first vote for local assemblies without the presence of Democrats since the party was founded in 1994, because one of the requirements for participation was no longer met, in particular that relating to the minimum number of candidates in three specific communities.

Last May, the local government of Hong Kong announced some proposals to improve governance at the district level. Those wishing to participate in the vote must present at least 50 nominations indicated by the electoral body and must present names from at least three specific communities, among which there are: the district committees for the fight against crime; district fire safety committees; the area committees.

The Democratic Party released a press release on social media, confirming that it will not be running in the next election. “We regret to announce - underlines the note - that we will not participate in the municipal elections.

However, the Democratic Party will continue to champion the voices of Hong Kong residents through various means, genuinely reflecting citizens' diverse opinions and offering recommendations that are believed to be most beneficial to Hong Kong and its people." Party president Lo Kin-hei said the new rules endorsed an imbalance of power and forces for these three communities and, also for this reason, it was difficult to obtain a sufficient number of candidates.

The 2023 Hong Kong District Council elections are scheduled for December 10 for all 18 district councils of the former British colony. Electoral changes approved earlier this year brought back nominated seats in deliberative bodies, introducing seats elected by government-appointed district committees and strengthening eligibility with scrutiny and mandatory nomination by committee members.

This is the first election in which only pro-Beijing candidates participate given the absence of democratic and moderate movements, which achieved a landslide victory in the last elections in 2019, the year of protests forcibly repressed and silenced by the National Security Law .

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee defended the new rules as fair and open. The high standards, according to him, would guarantee the quality of the candidates, who must respect the decisions of the people from whom they asked for the nomination.

“You should improve yourselves - said the leader - to convince people that you are a reliable person to serve the community, if you fail to obtain the nominations” necessary to present the candidacy.

However, the announcement relating to the Democratic Party's non-participation has already raised more than one reaction, with a part of the electorate speaking of an "embarrassing" decision because it effectively makes the competition between the parties unfair. In this regard, the party president explains:

“We want to give voice - said Lo - to the needs of Hong Kongers and continuously serve the local population, even in a limited system. We have no claim to change the general picture, but we hope to be able to make a contribution."

Finally, he admitted that the city is now cloaked in a general atmosphere of pessimism and little hope. “It's not realistic - he concludes - to do nothing hoping for something good. It's not healthy to accept that you can't do anything. There is always something we can do."