2024 Macanese Chief Executive election
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| Politics and government of Macau |
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The 2024 Macanese Chief Executive election will be held on 13 October 2024 for the sixth term of the Chief Executive of Macau (CE), the highest office of the Macau Special Administrative Region.[1] Incumbent Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng has declared he will not run for a second term.[2]
Background
[edit]Electoral change
[edit]Authorities in Macau followed those in Hong Kong and pushed for "patriots-only" electoral changes. In June 2023, the Macanese government announced public consultation on amending the election laws, including the proposed "perfection" on vetting mechanism.[3]
Under the proposed new rules, candidates in Chief Executive or legislative elections would need to be approved by the national security commission. Candidates, along with members of the Election Committee and Election Commission, are required to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Macanese Government. Decisions by the commission cannot be challenged in court, and those deemed "unpatriotic" would be barred from running in elections for five years. Inciting others, regardless in Macau or abroad, not to vote in the elections, or to cast invalid ballots or to abstain, would be criminalised as well.[3]
According to the government, the 45-day consultation saw "overwhelming" support across the society, believing such reform is "necessary" and "timely" in order to implement "patriots-only" principle endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.[4] The amendments were adopted by the Legislative Assembly in December 2023 and came into effect on 1 January 2024.[5]
Ho's health
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Ho Iat-seng was eligible for a second term after first elected in 2019. When asked in May 2023 whether he would seek re-election, Ho said he did not give any consideration as his current term of office would end one and a half year later. He then said in November no formal decisions were made and thus no comments when he was asked again of his intention after he presented the last policy address of this current term.
In May 2024 following the trip of Xia Baolong, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director, Ho said the Chinese Government did not talk to him about another term, and remains non-committal on re-election.[6]
Few weeks later, Ho would be in long absence following his last public appearance on 20 June 2024. His office announced on the next day that Ho took a 13-day leave, which was subsequently extended for another 16 days and until 19 July, and another 10 days until 29 July. His 39-days long holiday just months before the election sparked question and rumour of his health.[7] The government insisted Ho was in "good condition" and had "undergone routine medical check-ups and received related medical treatment". During his absence he issued statements to thank Chinese Government for two new policy initiatives.[8] Ho eventually reappeared in public eyes on 1 August to attend Macao Garrison's event.[9]
Macau News Agency reported in early July, citing unnamed sources, that Ho was resting outside Macau during the leave, and was planning to formally announce his candidacy for a second term after the members of the Election Committee are selected on 11 August.[10]
Election Committee election
[edit]Indirect poll to select 400 Election Committee members, whose duty is to elect the new Chief Executive, was held on 11 August 2024. 348 people put forward their names, and their candidacies were all approved by the authorities. Only two constituencies, Education and Labour, had to organise elections as the number of candidates exceeds that of the seats by two each, while other candidates were selected unopposed.[11]
Pre-nomination events
[edit]Although prior media reports suggested Ho will be running for a second term, in a statement on 21 August Ho said he decided not to seek for re-election, citing health reasons, making him the first leader since the handover to China in 1999 not to complete two five-year terms of office.[12]
But due to the fact that my health has not been fully restored, for the sake of Macau’s long-term development and from the perspective of the overall situation, I have decided not to participate in the election for the sixth-term Chief Executive.
He added he has "profound feelings for Macau and have done my utmost for Macau’s development", and thanked the Chinese government and all sectors of Macau "for their full trust and steadfast support".[12]
A day later, Sam Hou-fai, President of the Court of Final Appeal, said he is considering running for Chief Executive, describing the top post as "a noble one" and that he always "hold a strong desire to serve Macau".[13] Macanese journal Plataforma, quoting unnamed sources, reported Sam is likely the sole candidate in the race, and Jorge Chiang, president of Chamber of Commerce, is unlikely to secure the required 66 nominations.[14]
Two other potential candidates are Administration and Justice Secretary Cheong Weng-chon and Security Secretary Wong Sio-chak. Analysts noted all three likely contenders were born in China, unlike Ho and his two predecessors, and completed their university education in Beijing, raising concerns over next Chief Executive's familiarity with Macau and their commitment to the current governing style.[15]
Candidates
[edit]Announced
[edit]- Jorge Chiang, president of the Macau Lotus Chamber of Commerce and the Macau Society of Institutional Studies[16]
Expressed interest
[edit]- Sam Hou-fai, President of the Court of Final Appeal of Macau[17]
Potential
[edit]- Cheong Weng-chon, Secretary for Administration and Justice of Macau[17]
- Wong Sio-chak, Secretary for Security of Macau[17]
Declined
[edit]- Ho Iat-seng, incumbent Chief Executive of Macau[2]
Results
[edit]| Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | |||
| Total | |||
| Registered voters/turnout | 400 | – | |
References
[edit]- ^ "NEWS GOV-MO: Chief Executive Election set for 13 October". NEWS GOV-MO. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b Wu, Willa. "Macau leader Ho Iat-seng will not run in chief executive election, citing health concerns". SCMP. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b "政府修訂兩項選舉法 國安委將審查參選資格". Exmoo. 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "修改《行政長官選舉法》諮詢總結報告公布 社會各界大部分支持修法方向和內容". Exmoo. 7 August 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "立會全票細則性通過 新特首選舉法元旦生效". Cheng Pou. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (20 May 2024). "'No decision has been made.' Ho noncommittal on another term". Macao News. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Standard, The. "Macau leader's monthlong leave spurs many questions". The Standard. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Macau government says chief executive in good health, despite long absence". South China Morning Post. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ 潘耀昇 (1 August 2024). "賀一誠39天「悠長假期」後復工 現身解放軍駐澳部隊活動". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Ho Iat Seng in good health, will seek second term as Macau Chief Executive - sources". Macau Business. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ 文維廣 (11 July 2024). "澳門特首選舉｜348人符合選委會參選資格 教育及勞工界出現競爭". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Macau leader Ho Iat-seng won't seek second term". hongkongfp.com. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Wu, Willa; Chan, Kahon. "Macau's chief justice may run for city's top job after incumbent bows out". SCMP. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Chan, Viviana (23 August 2024). "終審法院院長岑浩輝或成唯一特首候選人". Plataforma Media (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "澳門特首賀一誠不連任熱門人選皆中國移民 分析：今日澳門明日香港". RFA. 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Macau's chief justice may run for city's top job after incumbent bows out". Macau Daily Times. Macau Daily Times. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Shum, Michael. "Macau chief executive 'a majestic job'". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
