Hong Kong government postpones elections, citing coronavirus

Hong Kong, July 31

Hong Kong chief Carrie Lam mentioned on Friday that the federal government would postpone the extremely anticipated legislative elections, citing a worsening coronavirus outbreak within the semi-autonomous Chinese metropolis.

The Hong Kong authorities is invoking an emergency rules ordinance in delaying the elections. Lam mentioned the federal government had the assist of the Chinese authorities in making the choice.

A postponement is a setback for the pro-democracy opposition, which hoped to capitalise on disenchantment with the present pro-Beijing majority to make positive factors. A gaggle of 22 lawmakers issued an announcement accusing the federal government of utilizing the outbreak as an excuse to delay the vote.

The metropolis of seven.5 million folks has seen a surge in coronavirus infections because the starting of July. Hong Kong had recorded over 3,100 infections as of Thursday, greater than double the tally on July 1.

The authorities has tightened social-distancing restrictions, limiting public gatherings to 2 folks, and banned dining-in at eating places after 6 pm.

The lead-up to the elections has been carefully watched, after a nationwide safety regulation that took impact in late June stipulated that candidates who violated the regulation could be barred from working.

The new regulation is seen as Beijing’s try to curb dissent within the metropolis, after months of pro-democracy and anti-government protests in Hong Kong final yr.

On Thursday, 12 pro-democracy candidates together with outstanding pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, have been disqualified from working for not complying with the town’s structure or pledging allegiance to the native and nationwide governments.

“Beyond any doubt, this is the most scandalous election ever in Hong Kong history,” Wong mentioned at a information convention on Friday. “I wish to emphasise that no reasonable man would think that this election ban is not politically driven.”

“Beijing has staged multiple acts to prevent the opposition bloc from taking the majority in the Hong Kong legislature,” he mentioned.

The elections might be deferred for as much as a yr, in response to the South China Morning Post newspaper, which cited unnamed sources. AP