Former security chief says govt should prepare for LegCo election delay

HONG KONG-Former secretary for security Lai Tung-kwok suggested that the Hong Kong government prepare contingency plans for the Legislative Council election scheduled for Sept 6 – including postponing the vote – in view of the worrying spike in COVID-19 cases.

Lai, the SAR government's top security official from 2012-17, cited possible threats to public health from crowds gathering to vote in the coming election.

"If so many people get together, the situation could worsen and pose a very serious health threat", he said in an interview wirh China Daily on Monday.

Hong Kong reported a record single-day high of 145 new coronavirus cases on Monday in a six-day streak of 100-plus daily confirmed infections, taking the local tally to 2,778.

Lai estimated that voter turnout will be very high in a "more politicized" Hong Kong, as shown in November's District Council election that saw more than 2 million people cast their votes. "There was no COVID-19 then. Just imagine how long the queues would be today if voters were required to keep a social distance of 1.5 meters."

"However, problems would also arise if the election is put off", he said. "That's why the government needs to have various contingency plans in place".

Lai said it's better to go ahead as planned if the situation allows, because candidates have done a lot of work, like "students preparing for an exam".