Hong Kong district council election to be as politically diverse as past polls, except for lack of opposition camp, minister says

The forthcoming district council election in Hong Kong will exhibit as much political diversity as its predecessors, according to the city's home affairs minister. However, the key difference this time around is the absence of opposition candidates and those perceived as destabilising forces in Hong Kong and the country. Alice Mak Mei-kuen, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, staunchly defended the restructured district council system. Her defence came in response to earlier complaints from opposition hopefuls and some pro-establishment parties who encountered difficulties in securing nominations for the election. Mak emphasised that the district council is a body that maintains regular contact with residents, addressing their concerns through various channels. The council aims to represent individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds. She argued that the political spectrum has not narrowed; it merely lacks the element that destabilises Hong Kong and China, which she deems unfavourable to both regions.

Mak further highlighted that candidates from other political backgrounds are still participating in the race. She added that future district councillors will interact with individuals holding a range of viewpoints during their tenure. These officeholders will also be responsible for conveying a spectrum of public opinions to the government, thereby aiding officials in formulating more responsive policies. Under the revised electoral process, candidates must secure nine nominations from members of their district's area committees. The election will see contenders vying for 88 directly elected seats across 44 geographical constituencies, with the decision resting in the hands of approximately 4. 3 million voters. An additional 176 seats are available in the district committee constituencies. The city's leader will also appoint 179 office holders, while the remaining 27 will be occupied by the chairs of rural committees from the city's districts. The election is scheduled for December 10.

Prior to the closure of the nomination window on October 29, the Registration and Electoral Office reported receiving 400 endorsement forms. The upcoming election will feature 228 candidates competing for seats in the 18 district committee constituencies, while another 171 contenders will vie for places in the 44 geographical constituencies. However, the new system has drawn criticism from opposition hopefuls and some pro-establishment aspirants who struggled to connect with nominators. Those who failed to secure endorsements include the Democratic Party, the city's largest opposition party, the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, and the centrist Third Side. Some lawmakers have also urged the government to limit the number of politically affiliated members within the nominating bodies. Mak revealed that about 10 per cent of nominators have political affiliations, with the remainder drawn from community organisations, schools, and owners' corporations.