Understanding LegCo in the Hong Kong SAR: A 30-Second Overview.

Hong Kong's LegCo functions as a law-making body with the authority to enact and revise legislation for the city. However, polls for this council have experienced a significant decline in meaningful opposition amid sweeping political transformations in the past few years.

Following the return to Chinese administration, a principle of "one nation, two systems" was promised, vowing that Hong Kong would maintain a measure of self-governance. In the years since, analysts argue that democratic rights have been steadily diminished.

Key Milestones and Changes

During 2014, a proposal was put forward that was designed to allow residents to elect the city's leader. Critically, this process was limited to contenders sanctioned by central authorities.

In 2019 was marked by widespread demonstrations, culminating in an incident where protesters entered the parliamentary premises to demonstrate against a proposed extradition bill.

The Effect of the NSL

Passed in mid-2020, the NSL granted extensive authority to central authorities over Hong Kong's governance. Acts such as collusion were made illegal. After this law, every major democratic party ceased operations.

The Present Election Process

Elections for the legislature are viewed as Hong Kong's main electoral process. But, rules established in 2021 now ensure that only hopefuls deemed loyal are able to contest seats.

• Distribution of Seats: Currently, only 20 out of 90 seats are directly elected.
• Other Positions: The majority are chosen by a pro-establishment committee.
• Code of Conduct: Recent drafted standards would compel legislators to unequivocally back central authority.

Electoral Turnout

Amid most forms of protest now restricted, abstaining from voting has emerged as one of the few legal ways for residents to express dissent. As a result unprecedentedly low participation rates in subsequent LegCo polls.