Hong Kong election

Socialist Action wins third of the vote

Sally Tang Mei-ching, candidate for Socialist Action (the Socialist Party’s sister party in Hong Kong) contesting Pak Tin ward in the city state’s recent district council elections, won 1,152 votes (33%) against the pro-Beijing incumbent Yan Kai-wing – whose vote went down from 2,888 in 2011 to 2,320 now.

Pak Tin is in Sham Shui Po, which is Hong Kong’s poorest district. Around 90% of Pak Tin’s electorate live in public housing.

Across Hong Kong, the ‘Umbrella’ factor (the 2014 movement demanding free elections, as opposed to a rigged election model as laid down by Beijing) was unmistakable, with a higher voter turnout (47% compared to 41% in 2011) and losses for pro-government parties.

The pro-government camp, an assortment of parties that are slavishly loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dictatorship and big business interests, has traditionally dominated these elections with massive resources and a culture of vote-buying and manipulation. All 18 district councils, which have extremely limited powers, are controlled by the pro-CCP camp.

“We decided to stand once again in these elections despite the undemocratic nature of the district councils, because we need every available platform to spread our [socialist] message,” said Sally.

Full report on www.socialistworld.net