Understanding LegCo in Hong Kong: A Quick Guide.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's LegCo operates as a regional legislature with the power to create and amend laws for the city. Nonetheless, polls for this body have seen a significant decline in meaningful opposition against a backdrop of significant governance transformations in the last decade.

Following the 1997 handover, a principle of a dual-system arrangement was promised, guaranteeing that Hong Kong would retain a level of independence. Gradually, critics contend that these freedoms have been systematically curtailed.

Key Developments and Changes

Back in 2014, legislation was put forward that would have allow residents to vote for the city's leader. Critically, the selection was limited to candidates sanctioned by the mainland government.

The year 2019 was marked by months of demonstrations, which featured an incident where demonstrators accessed the parliamentary premises to voice opposition against a contentious law.

The Consequence of the NSL

Implemented in June 2020, the NSL granted extensive authority to central authorities over Hong Kong's internal matters. Conduct such as secession were outlawed. After this law, every major opposition organization disbanded.

The Present Election System

The council polls are viewed as Hong Kong's key democratic exercise. However, laws enacted in recent years now guarantee that only individuals deemed "patriots" are eligible to stand for election.

• Seat Composition: Now, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
• The Majority: The majority are selected by a special interest groups.
• Proposed Standards: Additionally drafted rules would mandate legislators to publicly support the mainland's oversight.

Electoral Turnout

Amid many forms of protest now restricted, voter abstention has become one of the remaining safe ways for residents to register discontent. This has led to record low voter turnout in subsequent LegCo polls.