By Tu Haiming

Doomsayers had predicted a voter turnout of no more than 20 percent for the 2023 District Council (DC) Ordinary Election. Their “prophecy” was eventually nullified by a much higher participation rate of 27.54 percent. Still, it is worth pointing out that the quality of an election does not hinge on the turnout rate.

The benchmark for an election, or a democratic model, is whether it conforms to the actualities of the polity concerned and can tackle socioeconomic problems.

With new rules introduced for the 2023 election — the first DC election following an overhaul of the electoral system for these district organizations — many voters were still going through the mental process of adapting to the changes.

It’s understandable that some voters adopted a wait-and-see attitude and abstained from voting this time. The turnout rate of 27.54 percent, which is consistent with normal turnout rates of comparable local council elections in many Western countries, such as the United Kingdom, indicates that voters have acquired a deeper understanding of the nature of democracy through years of observation and analysis of its progress in Hong Kong.

Many voters have realized that social unrest like the anti-extradition turmoil in 2019-20 must not be allowed to occur again. Hong Kong cannot afford further chaos and another attempted insurrection, and hence democratic development must proceed within the institutional framework of “one country, two systems”. Anyone who challenges the “one country” premise or pursues secession in the name of “democracy” will neither succeed nor be condoned. Anti-China disruptive forces must not be given any chance to destabilize Hong Kong in the future.

Voters acknowledge the need for DCs to restore their non-political functions as stipulated in the Basic Law. Hong Kong’s DCs do not wield the powers of a modern legislature in passing laws and endorsing government expenditures. Instead, the DCs are intended to assist and to be consulted by the administration on district-level issues.

Any deviation by DCs from their intended roles must be rectified in good time.

Voters have recognized the importance of having down-to-earth district councilors who deliver results. Hong Kong has many entrenched livelihood issues such as a shortage of housing and a lack of upward mobility for young people. There are also plenty of minor issues, such as flooding and rat infestations that require community leaders’ attention. District councilors should take up the dual roles of a “steward” in their local community as well as a consultant who actively assists and advises the government in district-specific policymaking to address the concerns of the public.

Voters are also convinced that a genuine and functional democratic model should be defined by its conformity with the actual situation and capability to address practical problems. Hong Kong cannot copy the Chinese mainland’s democratic model, nor can it replicate the Western democratic model.

Those much-touted “democratic” models that breed endless political wrangling, rather than tackling problems and delivering results, are not suitable for Hong Kong as they would only bring trouble. It is logical for the HKSAR to develop a democratic model befitting its actualities while complying with the “one country, two systems” principle. It was in this spirit that Hong Kong’s old electoral system was overhauled.

Sunday’s DC elections marked an important step in building a high-quality democratic model that serves Hong Kong well

The quality of a democratic model is also assessed by whether the genuine spirit of democracy is embodied in the process of the exercising of political powers.

The new electoral system ensures broad participation, meritocracy and accountability of district councilors. The new DC elections carried three traits of “whole process democracy”.

First, an eligibility review mechanism was introduced to put the “patriots administering Hong Kong” precept into practice, eliminating the root cause of chaos.

Second, multiple endorsements were required for candidates to broaden their diversity, including nomination, indirect election, direct election and appointment, which ensure the composition of DCs is more balanced, more accountable, and more representative.

Third, a performance review mechanism has been introduced in the revamped DCs to ensure accountability of district councilors. Once district councilors take office, their performance will be monitored over the course of time. If the local community, three district committees, or DCs are dissatisfied with the work of a certain district councilor, they can accordingly file a complaint to the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, which, upon endorsement from the head of the bureau, will investigate the case and penalize the concerned district councilor if the allegation is found to be true. The defending district councilor can also file an appeal if they find the penalty unreasonable. This mechanism will enhance the accountability and transparency of the work of DCs, supplementing democratic elections with democratic supervision, thus raising the quality of democracy in Hong Kong.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attaches great importance to Hong Kong’s democratic development. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Chronicles — “Hong Kong’s participation in the country’s reform and opening up” — and signing ceremony of the memorandum of cooperation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chronicles on Dec 6, 2021, he stressed that the quality of Hong Kong’s electoral system hinges on its conformity with the city’s actualities and whether it is conducive to maintaining the city’s prosperity and stability and achieving good governance in the long run.

Sunday’s DC elections marked an important step in building a high-quality democratic model that serves Hong Kong well.

As long as Hong Kong continues to promote democracy in a rational and pragmatic way, the process of optimizing democracy will go smoothly.

The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of Bauhinia Magazine.

Source: China Daily