Sweeping changes to Hong Kong’s electoral laws move to the Legislative Council on April 14

The drastic overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system will be considered by the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said today.

To overhaul Legco's geographical constituencies, five key ordinances will be amended, she said, speaking at a Q&A session at the Legislative Council, including cutting the number of directly elected Legco seats, redrawing geographical election boundaries and vetting candidates to ensure a system of "patriots governing Hong Kong”.

She said the government will hold three elections within a year once the bills are passed by lawmakers.

“Any election manipulation and sabotage will be solved by law enforcement," said  Lam. 

Under the proposed amendments, candidates for the Legislative Council and the Election Committee will require the approval of the Hong Kong Committee for Safeguarding National Security, established last year under the National Security Law.

Mrs Lam said the new electoral system will restore order in the Legislative Council, adding that the pro-democracy camp hindered the government from understanding public opinion. 

The government will also open a temporary civil servants school to train more patriotic political talents and deepen the understanding of “one country, two systems”, she said.

An amendment of The Personal Data Ordinance will be prioritised, she added, saying that “the government is the largest victim of fake news”.