Hong Kong: China passes ‘patriot’ electoral reform

China is expected to make a final decision over changes to Hong Kong’s election rules on Tuesday (today), strengthening Hong Kong’s election controls.

As per details, this change is intended to allow only patriotic persons to run for power as citizens want to ensure that only patriots run the city.

The change in basic election controls raised controversy as some Chinese believes that it will mark the end of Hong Kong’s democracy and will keep opposition parties away from the city council.

The measures are part of Beijing's efforts to consolidate its increasingly authoritarian grip over the global financial hub.

As per Hong Kong's election committee the chief executive will pick 40 representatives of the city's legislature as part of the reforms approved by the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC).

However, the size of the legislature will increase to 90 from 70.

Chinese authorities claimed that the change is aimed at getting rid of deficiencies that caused severe damage to national security during anti-government unrest in 2019.

Following the restructuring in legislature, Beijing will also increase the size of the electoral committee from 1,200 to 1,500.