Voters of this year’s Legislative Election have their minds on candidates that could likely resolve issues relating to transportation and housing.
The majority of voters that Business Daily talked to yesterday are not satisfied with the performance of the previous Legislative Assembly (AL).
A civil servant surnamed Chan expressed a wish for new blood in the AL who are unbiased and that act in accordance to issues rather than for their own benefit.
“It is necessary for the AL to have different voices,” remarked Ms. Chan to Business Daily. “If most of the legislators are related to the business sector than obviously they would favour decisions that benefit their businesses.”
The 30-year-old civil servant divulged that she would not vote for those who are related to business or tongxianhui [Chinese native-place associations].
Ms. Chan said that she had noticed a lot of shuttle buses carrying eldery people to the ballot box, and stating that the related authorities (the Commission Against Corruption or Electoral Affairs Commission) had not investigated the matter.
“These senior citizens had their badges representing some sort of associations stuck on them and many of them don’t even know what they are voting for,” said Ms. Chan.
Business Daily also spoke with a number of senior voters and all of them said “they know nothing, they just came and vote.”
However, Ms. Chan also stated that more young people were willing to vote in this year’s election.
“After the hit of [Typhoon Hato], I believe more young people come out and vote,” commented Ms. Chan. “Like some of my co-workers, who didn’t vote last time, decided to vote this time because the previous AL was really bad.”
A 54-year-old housewife surnamed Chan, on the other hand, told Business Daily that she dislikes former legislators who support the government without disagreement.
“Some of these legislators advocated to support women but why in the end di they vote against the Domestic Violence Prevention Bill?” questioned Mrs. Chan.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Chan commented that the campaign period is too short.
“I notice that only the big associations are giving out pamphlets near my place,” said Mrs. Chan. “Many of my friends didn’t even know that the campaign had started.”
Vote matters
Another voter surnamed Tsang spoke to Business Daily after casting his vote yesterday, opining that casting a vote would open up opportunities for a change in the AL in the long run.
“Although only 14 are directly elected, if we choose someone who wants to make a change at the AL I think in the long run that the AL will change,” said Tsang. “Like more directly elected [seats], but if we don’t vote there will be no change for sure.”
Voting for the third time, Tsang expressed the wish that the new AL would expedite its work.
“The previous AL was slow in making progress, like with the rental law,” said Tsang. “They just finished the voting at the very end of the AL session.”
