Hong Kong election authority rejects government’s special-queue proposal for vulnerable voters

Electoral Affairs Commission dismisses government call for elderly, pregnant and disabled voters to have dedicated lane for September’s Legislative Council elections

Its chairman says support is already offered for those who need it after issue came to the fore amid record turnout at district council polls last year

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There were long queues at last November’s district council elections, leading to calls for a dedicated lane for those who struggle to stand for long periods. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 8:48pm, 18 Jun 2020Updated: 11:52pm, 18 Jun 2020

Hong Kong’s election authority has shot down a government proposal to set up a special queue for the elderly and those with mobility issues in the upcoming Legislative Council polls, saying support measures are already in place for vulnerable voters.

The Electoral Affairs Commission’s decision on Thursday raised eyebrows after a dedicated lane at polling stations was repeatedly backed by pro-government parties and even Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, who made a last-ditch appeal for the provision a day before.

The calls were made in the wake of the district council elections last November, when the pro-establishment bloc suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the opposition, who were riding high on the momentum of the anti-government protests.

Amid a record turnout of 71.2 per cent, lengthy queues formed outside polling stations across the city, leading some to raise concerns for the welfare of elderly, pregnant and disabled voters.

Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, the commission’s chairman, brushed aside the pleas and decided against introducing the change, drawing immediate condemnation from Beijing-friendly politicians, one of whom described the snub as “extremely irresponsible”.

“I think we have thought of the most practical means, and we do care for people with special needs,” Fung said.

Fung’s remarks came as the commission released its guidelines for the Legislative Council elections on September 6, which more than 4 million residents are eligible to vote in, with all 70 seats in the city’s legislature up for grabs.