One of the key takeaways of the Legislative Council Election nominations, which ended on Friday, is that the upcoming election will witness robust yet healthy competition, a scenario heralding the good governance, social stability and harmony that Hong Kong people are yearning for after suffering from festering social unrest and chaos over the past couple of years.
The nominee lists tabled by political groups such as the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the New People’s Party highlight the diversity of aspiring candidates.
A number of aspirants from other backgrounds have also filed for candidacy after they garnered the required number of nominations before the Friday deadline. Conceivably, robust competition will be witnessed among candidates of various political affiliations.
Essentially, “democracy is not an ornament” but for solving the problems that concern people and for the well-being of society
This doesn’t tally with claims by critics of the revamped electoral system, particularly Western politicians who have relentlessly assailed the improved electoral system for the same reason that they have attacked the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
Both measures initiated by Beijing have become the bête noire of those China-bashers for fear of the scenario that the two measures effectively neutralize or disempower their proxies in Hong Kong as well as other local subversives whose political endeavors play into their hands.
The great diversity of the LegCo election nominees is a disappointment and a slap in the face to those critics, who had promoted the myth of a “no-competition” election.
More importantly, the toxic politicking that saw many subversive groups focused on mudslinging and a divisive agenda catering to the radical quarters of society during past elections is no longer seen this time. Competition is now, in general, focused on political platforms taking aim at coping with deep-seated social problems as well as issues of public concern such as economic diversification, housing, healthcare, education, retirement protection, technology and innovation, all of which concern the overall well-being of Hong Kong society.
We should have no difficulty realizing that the revamped election system will ensure substantial, high-quality democracy – rather than superficial democracy – in Hong Kong as long as we are not mired in democratic dogma. Essentially, “democracy is not an ornament” but for solving the problems that concern people and for the well-being of society.