Postponed Hong Kong Legislative Council Election to Be Held on December 19

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] The Hong Kong Legislative Council election, which was abruptly postponed due to the spread of COVID-19, will be held this December.

According to local foreign media on the 13th, Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced at a press conference that the Legislative Council election will take place on December 19.

The election to select members of Hong Kong's Legislative Council was originally scheduled for September last year, but the Hong Kong government suddenly postponed the election by one year, citing the spread of COVID-19. At the time, the government claimed it was a decision made for the health of citizens with no political considerations, but since the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong was expected to perform well in the election, it sparked controversy within Hong Kong society.

Subsequently, in March, China revised Hong Kong's electoral system in a way unfavorable to the pro-democracy camp through the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC). The number of directly elected seats in the Hong Kong Legislative Council was reduced from 35 to 20, and adjustments were made to the composition of the Election Committee that selects the Chief Executive, including the removal of 117 district council seats controlled by the democratic camp.

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announcing the schedule for the Hong Kong election system reform / Photo by Yonhap News

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