Shame on Albert Ho for advocating "casting blank votes"
In 10 days' time, voting of the fourth-term chief executive of the SAR will take place. Citizens are now beginning to focus attention on the 1,200 members of the Election Committee to see how they would exercise their right and responsibility to cast their votes for "one country two systems" by electing a chief executive who can lead Hong Kong society to continue moving forward.
The Registration and Electoral Office yesterday sent out polling notices and related information to all 1,200 Election Committee members, including a name badge for each member, a location map of the main polling station in the Grand Hall on third floor of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, and the central counting station in Halls F and G on the fifth floor. The first round of voting will begin at 9.00 am. If everything goes smoothly, the results will be out before noon.
This is indeed an inspiring and exciting moment. In a flash, 15 years have already passed since Hong Kong's return to the Motherland. The SAR will have its fourth-term chief executive and government. Taking over from the past and setting a new course for the future, the two chief executives in three terms of office in past 15 years, Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, have led Hong Kong people through those extraordinary days, turning "one country two systems", "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong" with a high-degree of autonomy into a reality from a promise on paper.
The achievements are before everyone's eyes and praised by the world. In this regard, the 400 and then 800 members of the previous election committees had made their contributions. They had strictly observed their duties to justly and unselfishly choose the most ideal persons as the chief executives. However, what merits concern right now with regard to the chief executive election is that the opposition camp and some trouble-making media outlets are making use of certain negative news about the two pro-establishment candidates to deliberately advocate "casting blank votes", claiming that these two persons are not worthy of any vote of confidence. Their plot must be frustrated. The election already costs the public $42 million. In the event of an electoral deadlock, a re-election would have to be held, with more public funds being spent. But, more importantly, the dignity of such a major constitutional affair as the election of a chief executive would inevitably be hurt. And this would make it more difficult for the chief executive and the SAR Government to perform their roles. Moreover, to ensure the election is carried out in accordance with the law and successfully reach a timely result, the 1,200 Election Committee members must shoulder their unshirkable responsibility. But in this regard, the role and responsibility of the three candidates contesting for the post are also very important.
A northern Chinese saying has it that "one advocates what one tries to sell". Once one has made up his mind to run the race and legally becomes a chief executive candidate, one should carry oneself well, fully aware that he is now a chief executive candidate and as such must be responsible for his words and deeds in regard to the election. Otherwise, if one does not sell what one advocates but, instead, deliberately strikes up a discordant note and make ironic or cynical remarks, it would be a strange and disgusting thing. Right now before our eyes, there stands such a "trouble-making" person: Candidate No 2 Albert Ho Chun-yan. Having taken a high-profile position to stand for election, he is now calling on Election Committee members to cast "blank votes". Doesn't this show a split personality?
As a matter of fact, this Albert Ho, when announcing he would run for the chief executive election, has never uttered any proper words in keeping with his stature as, firstly, one who intended to run the election for chief executive and then an officially confirmed candidate. At first he condemned the election as a "small-circle election", and now calls for "casting blank votes". One can hardly see where he has kept his integrity, morality and chastity. In particular, as an aspiring chief executive while also calling for blank votes, he not only shows disrespect for the dignity of the election, but also insults the wisdom and dignity of the 1,200 Election Committee members. Those 180-plus Election Committee members who had nominated Albert Ho during the nomination period, should now open their eyes, "repent and be saved". Not only that, they should also not cast their votes for Albert Ho or to cast blank votes; instead they should, after careful consideration, cast their votes for one of the other two candidates so that the election will succeed. They must avoid becoming worse than useless, or being ashamed afterwards for dereliction of duty as Election Committee members. Needless to say, the other two candidates must always remember their capacity and duties. In the run-up to the polling day, they should compete with their policy platforms, ideals and capabilities. At the same time, they should make all effort to appeal to every Election Committee member, including those who support them or their common opponent, to cast their sacred votes, so as to jointly prevent "casting blank votes" or an "electoral deadlock" from happening. 14 March 2012
