AL Committee | NPC interpretation is ‘guiding document’

The Legislative Assembly’s (AL) 2nd Standing Committee issued a document on December 9 backing a governmental proposal to amend the electoral law barring AL candidates from standing for office if they are found to have violated the territory’s Basic Law, or if their loyalty to the MSAR is considered questionable.

The part of the revision concerning the allegiance pledge is seen as a response to the oath-taking controversy triggered by Hong Kong legislators Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung that resulted in Beijing intervening and preventing them from taking office.

Nine of the 10 lawmakers who are members of the AL Committee – including democracy pundit Ng Kuok Cheong – signed the document, stating that the main target of the revision is “to fight electoral fraud.”

The 106-page (Portuguese version) document advocates that prior to the election, candidates should sign a statement pledging allegiance to the MSAR.

The document draws parallels to the situation in Hong Kong, stating that the interpretation by the National People’s Congress (NPC) regarding Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung is valid for Macau.

“The interpretation made by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee is without doubt a guiding document for Macau,” the document states.

It also cites a 1999 resolution for the first election of the MSAR and concludes that the pledge of allegiance to the MSAR and the People’s Republic of China is “no novelty.”

The revision covers other controversial aspects such as the definition of electoral campaign and the eligibility of individuals who can participate in the campaign. According to the proposal, only persons or groups who officially support individual candidates will be able to engage in campaign activities. The AL will set a limit on the campaign budget, and putative candidates will have to deposit MOP25,000 “to prevent candidacies which are not representative.” The money will not be returned if the candidate receives less than 300 votes.

The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) will have at least six more members, as well as extended powers to punish infractions. PB