国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Postponement of HKSAR LegCo election protects peoples welfare: Hong Kong legal_时事

国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Postponement of HKSAR LegCo election protects peoples welfare: Hong Kong legal

Tong Ka-wah, a member of the HKSAR Executive Council, also a senior counsel, said the LegCo will deal with specific matters at specific times every year, including the policy address and the budget. In order not to disrupt these arrangements, it is better and safer to postpone the election for one year.

Chan Hiu-fung, head of Hong Kong and Mainland Legal Profession Association, said there is sufficient legal basis to postpone the election and this is the best plan to protect the health of the public and safeguard the fairness of the election. This also respects the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of residents who cannot return to Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said earlier that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will at the earliest possible date decide on how to deal with the vacancy of the LegCo incurred due to the postponement.

In response, many legal professionals and organizations pointed out that NPC Standing Committee's decision will have indisputable legitimacy and will make the operation of the LegCo more stable.

A statement issued by the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation said that according to Article 158 of the HKSAR Basic Law, the power of interpretation of this Law shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Therefore, the NPC Standing Committee's decision will have indisputable legal effect, which can avoid unnecessary judicial review and legal proceedings.