Hong Kong delays polls citing COVID, critics call it attempt to create ‘puppet parliament’

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam anunced that elections scheduled for September 6 have been postponed due to mounting concern over coronavirus pandemic. Lam told reporters on July 31 that postponement of Legislative Council election was most difficult decision in last seven months, igring draconian security law.

According to media reports, delay in polls could be for up to one year, serving ar blow to pro-democracy voices after disqualifying a dozen of activists for local elections. Joshua Wong, one of city’s most table pro-democracy activists, said that mass disqualifications are just beginning as Beijing is staging multiple acts to prevent opposition bloc from taking majority in LegCo.

“y could disqualify us, arrest us, throw us into jail, or even call off election and create a puppet parliament elsewhere,” tweeted Demosisto leer.

Calling it “largest election fraud” in Hong Kong’s history, Joshua said that Beijing cant overturn strong mandate of 610,000 Hong Kongers who h cast ir ballots in city's first-ever primaries earlier this month. He asked to what extent and in what ways does Beijing intend to reopen election.

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Disqualifies 12 candidates

On July 30, Hong Kong ministration disqualified a dozen pro-democracy candidates, saying y could t be considered to be abiding by constitutional duty required of lawmakers under new law. range of violations includes vocating for, or promoting, Hong Kong's independence or soliciting intervention by foreign governments in Hong Kong's affairs.

"re is question of any political censorship, restriction of freedom of speech or deprivation of right to stand for elections as alleged by some members of community," government said in a statement anuncing disqualifications.

Joshua said that he was disqualified from running upcoming LegCo election even after getting highest vote share in primary elections. He said that government disqualified him because he h described national security law as a draconian law.

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