On 31 July 2020, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the postponement of planned Legislative Council (LegCo) elections to 5 September 2021, due to coronavirus-related health concerns; the elections were previously scheduled for 6 September 2020. The announcement comes one day after 12 pro-democracy lawmakers were disqualified from running in the poll. Critics have denounced the moves as efforts to circumvent the electoral process following the passage of the controversial national security law.
Analyst Comment: As the epidemiological situation improves in Hong Kong and coronavirus-related restrictions are relaxed, the resurgence of anti-government protests in response to Lam’s announcement remains possible.
