As a result of the mass disqualification in the last election, more than a dozen of pro-democracy members, including former legislators, were barred from running in this election under the five-year ban.[2]
Nomination
The authorities confirmed a total of eight candidate lists for the direct election of 14 seats after the end of nomination period, marking the lowest since the handover.[3] Among the eight "nomination panels", five were from the pro-Beijing camp and only one from pro-democracy camp, after majority of them were disqualified in 2021. Macau Creating People’s Livelihood Force (澳門創建民生力量) ran in the election for the first time, hoping to prioritise local employment and social welfare and housing.[4]
The team led by Wong Wai-man, the workman popularly known as "Captain Macau" for his eyebrow-raising stance on politics, was disqualified due to insufficient endorsements after majority of signatures were found ineligible. He was arrested days before the end of the nomination period for illegal mahjong operations.[5]
Disqualification
Election publications seen on streets
Under new rules introduced in 2024 mirroring those in Hong Kong, all candidates must be screened before validating their nomination to determine whether they are "patriots". All candidates are required to uphold the Basic Law and to pledge allegiance to the country.[5]
Electoral Affairs Commission announced that 12 candidates from two lists, Synergy Power and Macau Creating People’s Livelihood Force, are ineligible for the direct election. The commission said the Committee for Safeguarding National Security (similar to that of Hong Kong), after eligibility reviews, determined that some candidates were "not supportive" and "not allegiant" to the People’s Republic of China and Macau Special Administrative Region. The disqualified candidates are barred from appealing against the verdict under national security laws.[6] Macanese government strongly supported the decision which fully implement the fundamental principle of "Macau governed by patriots".[7]
Ron Lam U Tou, the incumbent moderate legislator from the Synergy Power, said he was surprised but remained calm with clear conscience, adding that he firmly believes that "sunshine always follows the storm". Tim Wong Tak Loi, a former civil servant who led another disqualified list at his first bid, said he respected the decision and reaffirmed his "unchanged" patriotic stance.[6]
Au Kam San, a lawmaker who stepped down in 2021, said this decision targeted candidates that were not even from the opposition and was evident in suppressing any voices that the government deemed were not patriotic enough.[8] He was arrested under the national security law in August, weeks before the election, for alleged ties to "foreign groups endangering China". He was the first person to be arrested for national security crimes. The European Union condemned the arrest which "adds to the existing concerns about the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech" in Macau.[9][10]
Another pro-democracy former legislator Antonio Ng wrote on social media that he was "ordered" to leave Macau and could only return a week after the poling day.[11]
Results
The turnout significantly rose to 53%, about 11 pp higher than in 2021, likely as a result of the government's voting initiative. Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai repeatedly encouraged civil servants to vote as to "pledge allegiance" to the Basic Law and the Special Administrative Region. Free territory-wide public transport is also provided.[12]
As a result of the absence of other pro-democratic or centrist parties, New Hope led by José Pereira Coutinho, a party seen as representing the civil servants and Macanese[12] and traditionally regarded as pro-democracy, won more than 25% of votes and topped the list. New Hope and Macau United Citizens Association both won three seats.[13]
Two long-time legislators, Kou Hoi In and Chui Sai Cheong, chose not to run for re-election, opening the field for selecting the new President and Vice-President of the legislature.[12]
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10.97 pp)
