|
HONG KONG, Aug. 2-- Legal professionals and organizations in Hong Kong said on Sunday that there is sufficient legal basis to postpone the 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for one year, which will better safeguard the health and well-being of Hong Kong residents. Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said that when dozens of countries and regions around the world have postponed elections, the HKSAR government's decision to put off the election aims to create a more stable environment and concentrate on dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. Tam said the COVID-19 outbreak is severe in Hong Kong which poses a threat to public health. The decision made by the HKSAR government was reasonable and legal and has taken full account of the public interest. Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, chairwoman of the LegCo's Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services, said the decision made by the HKSAR Chief Executive in Council can stand the test of law. Postponing the election cannot be construed as depriving Hong Kong residents of their right to vote, as some people may not be able to return to Hong Kong to vote due to the pandemic and the willingness of older people to vote will also be greatly reduced. Former Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR government Elsie Leung said the postponement of the election is aimed at ensuring public safety, especially when the daily additional cases of COVID-19 have been over 100 for many days. If the election is held as scheduled, a larger outbreak might be resulted. | 
