Joshua Wong, the prominent pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong, has been disqualified from running in forthcoming district council elections.

The 23-year-old – who rose to prominence in the 2014 ‘Umbrella’ protests for electoral reform – said the decision was “clearly politically driven”.

Wong has been arrested twice since mass protests in the city began in early summer, is the only candidate to have been disqualified from the Nov. 24 poll on the grounds of his politics.

“I become the only candidate banned from running in November’s District Council Election as Returning officer, Laura ARON ruled my nomination invalid this morning. It proved how Beijing manipulate the election with political censorship and screening,” tweeted Wong.

A government statement issued later explaining the decision did not mention Wong by name, but said: “The candidate cannot possibly comply with the requirements of the relevant electoral laws, since advocating or promoting ‘self-determination’ is contrary to the content of the declaration that the law requires a candidate to make to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region].”

Yvad Billings, Readers Bureau, Fellow

Edited by Jesus Chan

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