Violence Erupts in Hong Kong Legislative Council Election Campaign

Strategic Insights -

Democratic Party candidate Wong Sing-chi was physically assaulted while handing out leaflets in Sheung Shui, and his assistant, Cheung Hon-yin, were also injured. The incident occurred as the election campaign heats up, with voters, candidates, and citizens urged to abide by the law. Police Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai has vowed to treat any illegal acts seriously, with officers deployed to each polling station on election day. Meanwhile, an unemployed man, Lau Wah-leong, has been charged with common assault and criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Key Takeaways:

  • Democratic Party candidate Wong Sing-chi was kicked and punched while handing out leaflets in Sheung Shui, leaving him and his assistant injured.
  • Police Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai has called on voters, candidates, and citizens to abide by the law, with police treating any illegal acts seriously.
  • A total of 299 complaints have been received by police relating to the Legislative Council election since July, with over half related to noise pollution.
  • Unemployed man Lau Wah-leong, 58, has been charged with common assault and criminal damage in connection with the incident.
  • Lau Wah-leong also faced a third charge of damaging electoral boards belonging to candidate Leung Kwok-hung, but no plea was entered.
  • The case was adjourned until September 23, pending two psychiatric reports.
  • Lau Wah-leong was remanded in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre.
  • Law Chi-kwong, chief of the Democratic Party's election campaign, has urged all Legco candidates to call on their supporters to remain calm in the run-up to the election.
  • Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung has expressed confidence that police will deal with any incident according to the law.

Statistics:

  • 299: the number of complaints received by police relating to the Legislative Council election since July
  • 49: the number of cases of criminal damage reported to police
  • 7: the number of seats in the New Territories East constituency
  • 4: the position of Democratic Party candidate Wong Sing-chi on the 7.1 United Front list

Sources:

  • [No external source mentioned]