On July 15, a spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region made a statement on the law-based decision made by the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election of the Macao SAR about the eligibility of the candidates of the eighth Legislative Assembly Election.
According to the spokesperson, the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election made the law-based decisions about the eligibility of the candidates of the eighth Legislative Assembly Election in accordance with the review opinions issued by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR on whether the candidates uphold the Basic Law of the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China. The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR firmly supports it.
The spokesperson stressed that “patriots administering Macao” is integral to “One Country, Two Systems”. As members comprising the government structure of the Macao SAR, the members of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR must be staunch patriots. The Legislative Assembly election must implement the “patriots administering Macao” principle and the candidates must meet the standards for staunch patriots. The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR determines whether candidates uphold the Basic Law of the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China and issues binding review opinions in accordance with the law. In compliance with the stipulations of the Law on Safeguarding National Security and the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly, the decisions hold absolute authority, and are indisputable and unchallengeable.
According to the spokesperson, the upcoming eighth Legislative Assembly Election of the Macao SAR is a major event in the political life of Macao. It is not only closely related to the development of “One Country, Two Systems” and the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao, but also the vital interests of every Macao resident. We believe that all sectors of civil society and the people in Macao would definitely uphold the rule of law and pass on the core value of “love the country and Macao”. While supporting the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election of the Macao SAR for its performance of duties in accordance with the law, they would actively participate in various election activities and jointly hold a high-quality election, the spokesperson concluded.
