Macao’s Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (known by the Portuguese initials CAEAL) yesterday disqualified all 12 candidates from two electoral lists from participating in the upcoming direct legislative election. The lists had been submitted by the political groups Power of Synergy and Macau Creating People’s Livelihood Force.
The disqualification followed a determination by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security that the candidates “neither uphold” Macao’s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, “nor bear allegiance” to the SAR. The news has been widely reported locally.
The committee’s assessment is final, and its decisions cannot be challenged through objections or court appeals. Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai chairs the committee.
CAEAL President Seng Ioi Man announced the commission’s ruling at a press conference yesterday. This disqualification leaves only six lists to compete in the 2025 direct election, the lowest number since the SAR’s inaugural direct legislative election in 2001. In contrast, 14 lists were submitted for the elections four years ago.
This is only the second instance of candidates being disqualified for determinations of failure to uphold the Basic Law or for disloyalty. In 2021, CAEAL itself made such assessments, with 20 candidates from six direct election lists facing similar disqualifications.
However, amendments to election laws, enacted last year, now mandate that CAEAL seek an assessment from the Committee for Safeguarding National Security regarding candidate qualifications.
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Under the updated law, if the commission bars a candidate based on the committee’s findings, the disqualification remains effective for five years. However, candidates disqualified for other reasons still retain their right to object or appeal.
The Macau Creating People’s Livelihood Force list initially had seven candidates, but one, Hong Wai I, withdrew before the remaining six (Alberto Wong, Leong Sio Iok, Che Meng Lam, Chow Chi Fai, Ngai Ka Fong, and Fong Kai Hou) were disqualified. The Power of Synergy list comprised six candidates (incumbent lawmaker Ron Lam U Tou, Johnson Ian Heng Ut, Che I Kei, Sio Ieng Weng, Joe Chan Chon Meng, and Cheong Iek Chong).
Each direct election list must have between four and 14 candidates. The Legislative Assembly consists of 14 directly-elected seats, 12 indirectly-elected seats, and 7 government-appointed seats.
In the 2021 direct election, the Power of Synergy list secured one seat, filled by Ron Lam. The Macau Creating People’s Livelihood Force list, led by former police officer Alberto Wong, was making its first electoral bid.
Lam responded to the news on Facebook, stating he learned of the disqualification through live broadcasts and maintained a “clear conscience.” He expressed regret for being “unable to continue to serve” and thanked his collaborators and supporters.
Wong also stated he learned of the outcome from news reports. He reaffirmed his “unwavering commitment to loving the nation and Macao” and his “loyalty to the Macao SAR.” He also vowed to “keep contributing to Macao’s development,” adding that he had “no comment on the decision” and would “maintain optimism and continue serving Macao through lawful means.”
