Unofficial referendum Open Macau Society files appeal within TUI

Jason Chao confirmed Friday that Open Macau Society has filed an appeal within the Court of Final Appeal (TUI) regarding IACM’s decision to refuse pro-democratic groups’ request to hold a series of assemblies promoting an unofficial referendum on universal suffrage. A ruling should be released this week.
Open Macau Society and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) exchanged accusations last Thursday over the organization of these assemblies. Pro-democratic groups first accused IACM of stalling the process by providing decisions as late as 24 hours before planned events. IACM ended up providing answers to all of Open Macau Society’s requests last Thursday, denying them the use of public space to hold a total of ten assemblies planned.
The referendum on universal suffrage is jointly organized by the Open Macau Society, Macau Conscience, and Macau Youth Dynamics. The New Macau Association (ANM) confirmed last Friday that it is supporting the referendum, but will not participate in its organization.
A similar ballot took place last month in Hong Kong when a total of 792,808 voters participated in a referendum on universal suffrage. Macau’s ballot is due to take place between August 24 and 31.
If attempts to hold both assemblies to promote the ballot are censored, pro-democratic groups have guaranteed that they have a back-up plan to serve their purpose, but declined to disclose further details “for security reasons.”
According to a TDM News report, if TUI reverses IACM’s decision, the pro-democratic groups will be organizing at least four campaign assemblies at the beginning of next month.