China weighs barring 4 Hong Kong lawmakers from extended term

Pro-democracy incumbents were disqualified from running in delayed election

20200807N Civic Party

Three members of Hong Kong's opposition Civic Party were among the incumbent lawmakers barred from running for reelection. © Reuters

TAKESHI KIHARA, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- China's top legislative body may decide to block four disqualified pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers from keeping their seats in a provisional term that would run through the rescheduled election next year.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is expected to discuss how to handle the one-year postponement of Hong Kong's legislative election in a four-day meeting starting Saturday. Hong Kong's Basic Law stipulates that members of the Legislative Council serve for four-year terms, which leaves the seats empty for the year leading up to the new election date.

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