John Lee, former Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration, elected as Chief Executive of Hong Kong. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] John Lee, former Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration (64), was elected with 94% of the vote as the sole candidate in the Hong Kong Chief Executive election held on the 8th.
The Hong Kong Chief Executive election is conducted through an indirect election by the Election Committee, which has a total of 1,500 members (currently 1,461). A candidate must secure more than half of the total votes, at least 750, to be elected.
On the day of the election, 1,428 members participated, recording a turnout rate of 97.74%. Candidate John Lee received 1,416 votes, confirming his election. There were 8 votes against and 4 abstentions.
This is the third time since Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred from the United Kingdom to China in 1997 that a candidate has run unopposed in the Chief Executive election.
The previous highest vote share was in 2007 when Donald Tsang sought re-election as Chief Executive, receiving 649 votes out of the 800-member Election Committee, securing 81% support.
This election attracted attention as it was the first Chief Executive election held after the Chinese government restructured Hong Kong's electoral system last year under the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong."
Former Chief Secretary Lee joined the police force in 1977, was appointed Secretary for Security in 2017, took a hardline stance against anti-government protests in 2019, and was appointed Chief Secretary for Administration by the Chinese government in June last year. This is the first time a police officer has held the position of Chief Executive.
John Lee will be inaugurated as the 6th Chief Executive of Hong Kong on July 1.
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