12 candidates excluded from legislative direct election, details remain ‘confidential’

The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) announced yesterday the disqualification of 12 directly elected candidates for failing to uphold the Macau Basic Law and pledge allegiance to Macau.

When pressed for details, the president, Seng Io Man, responded that the specifics were confidential and primarily related to the National Security Committee’s involvement.

According to a press conference held yesterday, all 12 disqualified candidates were affiliated with two specific groups: the Macau Create People’s Livelihood Force and the Synergy of Macau Association.

Alberto Wong and incumbent lawmaker Ron Lam were identified as the leading candidates from these groups, respectively.

During the press conference concerning the decisions announced by the CAEAL, reporters posed several critical questions. They sought clarification on the legal basis for the decisions made by the National Security Committee and the CAEAL.

There was also interest in whether candidates have the right to appeal these decisions, as well as the specific facts that led the National Security Committee to deem 12 candidates ineligible to run. Furthermore, inquiries were raised regarding whether CAEAL formally acknowledges the outcomes of the National Security Committee’s eligibility review.

In response, Seng addressed the questions multiple times, emphasizing that the National Security Committee made authoritative determinations based on established legal standards and procedures.

He clarified that the National Security Committee made authoritative decisions based on established legal standards and factual evidence regarding candidates’ support for the Basic Law and their loyalty to the Macau Special Administrative Region, stating: “These determinations were communicated to the CAEAL and followed legal procedures.”

The CAEAL chief continued: “Evaluating candidates’ adherence to the Basic Law and their loyalty to Macau is essential for implementing the principle of ‘patriots administering Macau,’ fundamentally aimed at safeguarding national security.”

Despite requests for disclosure regarding the factual basis for the National Security Committee’s decision, the CAEAL cited relevant laws, stating that the agenda, content, opinions, and supporting documents from the committee’s meetings are confidential. As such, Seng emphasized that “the content of the relevant work should not and must not be disclosed.”

Furthermore, it was noted that, in order to maintain the confidentiality of the committee’s operations, several candidates identified as not supporting the Basic Law and lacking allegiance to Macau were explicitly prohibited from filing objections or judicial appeals.

The CAEAL president asserted, “This is legal and reasonable,” and reaffirmed that the National Security Committee is the specialized agency responsible for national security matters in Macau, with its authority and professionalism being “unquestionable.”

He indicated that certain information and intelligence related to its work must remain strictly confidential to avoid risks to national security.

Concerns were raised about how the CAEAL’s decision might affect voter participation in the upcoming election scheduled for September 14.

The CAEAL emphasized that voting is both a right and a civic responsibility, urging residents to participate actively in the election to help establish a new Legislative Assembly.

In response to worries about monitoring and reducing incitement for voters to cast blank or invalid ballots, Seng noted that the government amended the Legislative Assembly election regulations last year.

These amendments aim to enhance the electoral process and strengthen measures against violations. Notably, the new regulations classify openly inciting others to cast blank ballots, abstain from voting, or submit invalid ballots as criminal offenses.

The Legislative Assembly Election Law, amended in 2024, implements the principle of “patriots administering Macau.” Seng noted that during the Legislative Assembly’s discussion of the bill last year, it was clearly established that assessing candidates’ support for the Basic Law and their loyalty to Macau is part of safeguarding national security.

During the detailed review of the bill, all attending legislators voted in favor of it. According to relevant media records, Ron Lam, the current lawmaker, was among the attending legislators and delivered a speech during the discussion.

Remarks from Ron Lam and Alberto Wong

In response to the CAEAL’s announcement, Lam shared a statement on his Facebook page, expressing surprise at the news, which he had learned about through live broadcasts without any prior notification.

“It was sudden, but I remain calm and have nothing to hide. My commitment to Macau remains unwavering, and I truly believe that sunshine follows the storm!” Lam said.

The lawmaker also apologized to his supporters for being unable to continue his service and thanked his partners who have worked with him, saying, “I’m sorry for not being able to serve you further, and I sincerely appreciate all those who have accompanied me in serving Macau.”

The related post garnered over 700 likes and 169 comments within just one hour. Some commenters expressed dissatisfaction with the CAEAL’s decision, while others offered their gratitude for Lam’s efforts over the past four years.

Additionally, Alberto, a first-time candidate in the AL election, issued a statement after learning of the results through the news. He reaffirmed his unwavering stance: “I am patriotic, love Macau, and remain loyal to the Macau Special Administrative Region.”

Wong expressed his commitment to serving the people with the same dedication as always.

He apologized to his supporters and thanked his team members for their collective efforts. Regarding the CAEAL’s decision, he chose not to comment but emphasized his optimism and intention to continue serving Macau through legal means.

Local gov’t, Liaison Office back electoral commission’s candidate decisions

The spokesperson of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau has expressed support for the Electoral Affairs Commission’s law-based decisions on candidate eligibility for the upcoming eighth Legislative Assembly Election.

The commission’s decisions followed review opinions from the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, which assesses whether candidates uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to Macau.

The Liaison Office emphasized that “patriots administering Macau” is a core principle of the ‘One country, two systems’ framework, requiring AL members to be patriots.

The spokesperson stressed that the committee’s binding reviews are legal, indisputable, and final under Macau’s Law on Safeguarding National Security and the Electoral Law.

“We believe that all sectors of the society and the people in Macau would definitely uphold the rule of law and pass on the core value of ‘love the country and Macau’,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Macao SAR Government said it fully supports the Electoral Affairs Commission in carrying out its duties according to the law, “ensuring the smooth conduct of the eighth Legislative Assembly Election under the principle of ‘patriots administering Macau’ while safeguarding residents’ legal rights and freedoms.”

“Through collaboration and solidarity across all sectors, Macau will continue to advance the successful implementation of ‘One country, two systems’ with local characteristics,” it added.