2024 Macanese Chief Executive election

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2024 Macanese Chief Executive election
Flag of Macau.svg
←  2019 13 October 2024 (2024-10-13)Next →
All 400 votes of the Election Committee
201 votes needed to win
Turnout99.50%
  Sam Hou Fai.jpg
Candidate Sam Hou Fai
Party Independent
Alliance Pro-Beijing
Electoral vote394
Percentage98.99%
Chief Executive before election

Ho Iat-seng
Independent

Elected Chief Executive

Sam Hou Fai
Independent

The 2024 Macanese Chief Executive election was held on 13 October 2024 for the 6th term of the Chief Executive of Macau (CE), the highest office of the Macau Special Administrative Region. [1] Incumbent Ho Iat Seng, who was elected in 2019, declined to seek a second term for health reasons and will finish his term on 20 December 2024. [2] Former President of the Court of Final Appeal Sam Hou Fai was the sole candidate to be nominated. He received 394 electoral votes (98.50%) and will assume office on 20 December 2024. [3]

Contents

Background

Electoral change

Authorities in Macau followed those in Hong Kong and pushed for "patriots-only" electoral changes. In June 2023, the Macanese government announced public consultation on amending the election laws, including the proposed "perfection" on vetting mechanism. [4]

Under the proposed new rules, candidates in Chief Executive or legislative elections would need to be approved by the national security commission. Candidates, along with members of the Election Committee and Election Commission, are required to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Macanese Government. Decisions by the commission cannot be challenged in court, and those deemed "unpatriotic" would be barred from running in elections for five years. Inciting others, regardless in Macau or abroad, not to vote in the elections, or to cast invalid ballots or to abstain, would be criminalised as well. [4]

According to the government, the 45-day consultation saw "overwhelming" support across the society, believing such reform is "necessary" and "timely" in order to implement "patriots-only" principle endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. [5] The amendments were adopted by the Legislative Assembly in December 2023 and came into effect on 1 January 2024. [6]

Ho's health

Ho in 2021 Ho Iat-Seng2021 (cropped).jpg
Ho in 2021

Ho Iat-seng was eligible for a second term after first being elected in 2019. When asked in May 2023 whether he would seek re-election, Ho said he did not give any consideration as his current term of office would end one and a half year later. [7] He then said in November no formal decisions were made and thus no comments when he was asked again of his intention after he presented the last policy address of this current term. [8]

In May 2024 following the trip of Xia Baolong, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director, Ho said the Chinese Government did not talk to him about another term, and remained non-committal on re-election. [9]

Several weeks later, Ho would be in long absence following his last public appearance on 20 June 2024. His office announced on the next day that Ho took a 13-day leave, which was subsequently extended for another 16 days and until 19 July, and another 10 days until 29 July. His 39-days long holiday just months before the election sparked question and rumour of his health. [10] The government insisted Ho was in "good condition" and had "undergone routine medical check-ups and received related medical treatment". During his absence he issued statements to thank the Chinese Government for two new policy initiatives. [11] Ho eventually reappeared in public eyes on 1 August to attend Macao Garrison's event. [12]

Macau News Agency reported in early July, citing unnamed sources, that Ho was resting outside Macau during the leave, and was planning to formally announce his candidacy for a second term after the members of the Election Committee are selected on 11 August. [13]

Election Committee election

An indirect poll to select 400 Election Committee members, whose duty is to elect the new Chief Executive, was held on 11 August 2024. 348 people put forward their names, and their candidacies were all approved by the authorities. Only two constituencies, Education and Labour, had to organise elections as the number of candidates exceeded that of the seats by two each, while other candidates were selected unopposed. [14]

Pre-nomination events

Although prior media reports suggested Ho will be running for a second term, in a statement on 21 August Ho said he decided not to seek re-election, citing health reasons, making him the first leader since the handover to China in 1999 not to complete two five-year terms of office. [15]

But due to the fact that my health has not been fully restored, for the sake of Macau’s long-term development and from the perspective of the overall situation, I have decided not to participate in the election for the sixth-term Chief Executive.

He added he has "profound feelings for Macau and have done my utmost for Macau’s development", and thanked the Chinese government and all sectors of Macau "for their full trust and steadfast support". [15]

A day later, Sam Hou-fai, President of the Court of Final Appeal, said he was considering running for Chief Executive, describing the top post as "a noble one" and that he always "hold a strong desire to serve Macau". [16] Macanese journal Plataforma, quoting unnamed sources, reported Sam wss likely the sole candidate in the race, and Jorge Chiang, president of Chamber of Commerce, was unlikely to secure the required 66 nominations. [17]

Sources reported by Platforma and other media also named Administration and Justice Secretary Cheong Weng-chon and Security Secretary Wong Sio-chak as potential candidates, [18] who had both declined to comment on running for the top job before the election process began. [19] [20] There was also another unnamed person "outside the Administration" considered as a potential figure according to Platforma, although these three individuals were apparently blocked for the top job by Beijing and such decision could have been conveyed during the visit of Shi Taifeng, Head of the United Front Work Department, to Macau on 17 and 18 August. Liu Chak-wan, Chancellor of Macau University of Science and Technology and a member of the Executive Council, along with businessman Sio Chi-wai, a Macau deputy of National People's Congress, were also singled out by media as possible successor. [21] [22]

Analysts noted all three top likely contenders, Sam, Cheong, and Wong, were born in China, unlike Ho and his two predecessors, and completed their university education in Beijing, raising concerns over next Chief Executive's familiarity with Macau and their commitment to the current governing style. [23]

Sam resigned from the Court of Final Appeal on 26 August according to an executive order by Ho Iat-sing, effective from 28 August, [24] when he announced his leadership bid. [25] The nomination period began on 29 August.

Nomination

The nomination period commenced on 29 August and candidates were required to obtain at least 66 nominations among the Election Committee before 12 September in order to be eligible for the election. [26]

On 10 September, Sam obtained 383 out of 400 nominations of the Election Committee. Since each Election Committee member could only nominate one candidate, Sam became the sole eligible candidate for this election. [27] Sam received 3 more nominations before the deadline on 12 September, i.e. 386 nominations in total, accounting for 96.5% of its members. [28] The Macau Electoral Affairs Commission confirmed Sam's eligibility on 18 September. [29]

Candidates

Nominee

Failed to be nominated

None of the following candidates were successfully nominated.

Declined to run

The following persons explicitly declined to run:

The following persons were considered potential candidates but made no comment:

Results

CandidatePartyVotes%
Sam Hou-faiIndependent394100.00
Total394100.00
Valid votes39498.99
Invalid/blank votes41.01
Total votes398100.00
Registered voters/turnout40099.50

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References

  1. ↑ "Chief Executive Election set for 13 October". gcs.gov.mo. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 Wu, Willa (21 August 2024). "Macau leader Ho Iat-seng will not run in chief executive election, citing health concerns". SCMP. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  3. ↑ Chan, Kahon. "Ex-judge Sam Hou-fai named Macau leader after securing 394 votes in uncontested election". SCMP. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 "政府修訂兩項選舉法 國安委將審查參選資格". Exmoo. 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "修改《行政長官選舉法》諮詢總結報告公布 社會各界大部分支持修法方向和內容". Exmoo. 7 August 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "立會全票細則性通過 新特首選舉法元旦生效". Cheng Pou. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "澳門行政長官換屆選舉明年舉行 賀一誠：暫無考慮參選". Exmoo. 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "明年參選特首爭取連任? 賀一誠: 未有正式決定". TDM. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Reporter, Staff (20 May 2024). "'No decision has been made.' Ho noncommittal on another term". Macao News. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  10. ↑ Standard, The. "Macau leader's monthlong leave spurs many questions". The Standard. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Macau government says chief executive in good health, despite long absence". South China Morning Post. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  12. ↑ 潘耀昇 (1 August 2024). "賀一誠39天「悠長假期」後復工 現身解放軍駐澳部隊活動". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "Ho Iat Seng in good health, will seek second term as Macau Chief Executive - sources". Macau Business. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  14. ↑ 文維廣 (11 July 2024). "澳門特首選舉｜348人符合選委會參選資格 教育及勞工界出現競爭". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Macau leader Ho Iat-seng won't seek second term". hongkongfp.com. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  16. ↑ Wu, Willa; Chan, Kahon (22 August 2024). "Macau's chief justice may run for city's top job after incumbent bows out". SCMP. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  17. ↑ Chan, Viviana (23 August 2024). "終審法院院長岑浩輝或成唯一特首候選人". Plataforma Media (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  18. ↑ Lopes, Gonçalo (23 August 2024). "Sam Hou Fai for Chief Executive". Plataforma Media. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "張永春冇諗過選特首". CTM. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  20. ↑ "兩人被指下任特首潛在人選 黃：不予置評 張：沒有想過". Cheng Pou. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  21. ↑ 星島日報 (22 August 2024). "誰是下屆澳門特首 終院院長岑浩輝參選大熱". std.stheadline.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  22. ↑ Chan, Viviana (1 March 2024). "黃少澤領先賀一誠". Plataforma Media (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  23. ↑ "澳門特首賀一誠不連任熱門人選皆中國移民 分析：今日澳門明日香港". RFA. 23 August 2024.
  24. 1 2 Jeffie, Lam (26 August 2024). "Sam Hou-fai quits Macau's top court ahead of bid to become city's next leader". SCMP . Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "Sam Hou-fai announces bid for Macau SAR chief executive". The Standard. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  26. ↑ "Nomination period for Chief Executive Election candidates starts on 29 August". Macao SAR Government Portal. 16 August 2024.
  27. ↑ "Sam Hou-fai becomes sole candidate for Macau's top job with 383 nominations". South China Morning Post. 10 September 2024.
  28. ↑ "Sam submits 3 more nominations, now 96.5 pct of CE electors backing him". www.macaupostdaily.com. 13 September 2024.
  29. ↑ Standard, The (18 September 2024). "Macau confirms Sam Hou-fai as sole candidate for CE election". The Standard.
  30. 1 2 3 Shum, Michael. "Macau chief executive 'a majestic job'". The Standard. The Standard . Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  31. ↑ "Macau's chief justice may run for city's top job after incumbent bows out". Macau Daily Times. Macau Daily Times. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  32. ↑ "誰是下屆澳門特首 終院院長岑浩輝參選大熱". 星島日報 (in Chinese).
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