Elections in the Hong Kong special administrative region (China) will take place as planned

This is the statement of the Chief Executive Officer Hong Kong Lam Trinh Nguyet Nga on April 2, denied media speculations that the vote may be postponed for a second time due to the severe COVID-19 outbreak in this city.

Since Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, the city has had four Chief Executives, all of whom have to work hard to balance the democratic aspirations of some residents with the vision of Hong Kong. of Chinese leaders.

At a press conference with reporters, Lam Trinh Nguyet Nga repeatedly refused to confirm whether she would be re-elected for a second five-year term. However, Lam said the election arrangements remained in place despite media reports that Beijing would push the election back to 2023.

Elections will begin on May 8, Lam said.

People wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 in Hong Kong on February 23, 2022. (Photo: AP)

An election committee with 1,500 members with the backing of China’s central government will select the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, of which all candidates must ensure full support from the government. These members are in the nomination period which lasts until the end of April 16.

The election was originally scheduled to be held on March 27 but was pushed back to May 8 to allow time for the Hong Kong government to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak that has killed more than 1 million people in the country. 7.4 million city residents are infected.

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