NDI Youth Program in Hong Kong: Student monitoring of the 2008 Legislative Council Elections in Hong Kong

In a continuation of the election monitoring activities arranged in 2007 by Professor Michael DeGolyer head of the Hong Kong Transition Project (HKTP) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in 2008 he arranged for his students to take part in more election monitoring on behalf of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Professor Michael DeGolyer of HKTP,
who arranged access for the NDI to students in Hong Kong

NDI 2008 election monitoring activities in Hong Kong

In 2008 the NDI conducted in-depth assessments of the September Legislative Council (LegCo) elections.

To assist in these assessments, they conducted a study with the assistance of the HKTP, who arranged for university student volunteers to shadow six Legislative Council candidates from 31 July through election day on 7 September, to informally observe the campaigns and the polls.

This is how the role of the students was described in NDI Promise of Democratization Report 13¹ on the Legislative Council Elections:

“Appendix II - 2008 Legislative Council Elections Case Studies: Student Observations

NDI would like to thank the Hong Kong Transition Project Director Prof. Michael DeGolyer, Cheung Puiki Research Assistant and the six student volunteers and the individual candidates and their campaign teams for their assistance on this project.

The student volunteers observed the following candidates:

• Tanya Chan, Civic Party, Hong Kong Island;
• Audrey Eu, Civic Party, Hong Kong Island;
• Regina Ip, Independent, Hong Kong Island;
• Alan Leong, Civic Party, Kowloon East;
• Thomas Yu Kwun Wai, Civic Party, Kowloon East;
• Fred Li Wah Ming, Democratic Party, Kowloon East;
• Roy Tam, Independent, Kowloon West. 

NDI, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Transition Project and with the assistance of six student volunteers, conducted an observation of the campaigns of six Legislative Council candidates, focused on qualitative aspects of their campaigns.

The study was conducted to help better understand the role of Hong Kong’s political parties in

supporting candidates during election time, including campaign strategies as well as general campaigning techniques.

Prior to observations, the students were briefed on their role as observers and the need to refrain from participating in any electioneering activities to ensure their neutrality.

The observations took place between 31 July 2008 and 7 September 2008. Students were asked to observe activities of the candidate and their aides, including types of campaign literature distributed, the reaction of passers-by, what other campaigning techniques were employed, and the tactics employed by the opponents.  A de-briefing session was held with interested candidates on September 11, 2008.

One student was only able to complete half of the observations, the rest were conducted by the NDI Hong Kong field staff who were part of the election assessment team”.

Reference

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2008 Legislative Council Elections. NDI Hong Kong Report #13. 15 October 2008. See: Promise of Democratization Report 13

NDI Youth Program in Hong Kong: Student monitoring of the 2007 District Council Elections and Legislative Council by-election

To address the low levels of interest and lack of activism by students in Hong Kong, based on their experiences in other countries, in 2007 the National Democratic Institute (NDI) initiated a Youth Public Participation Program in Hong Kong.

One of the ways the NDI got access to students in Hong Kong was by forming partnerships with professors in our local universities and one of their key partners in this was Professor Michael DeGolyer, head of the Hong Kong Transition Project (HKTP) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), who in 2007 arranged for his students to take part in election monitoring on behalf of the NDI, the first of many events where he would give the NDI access to students.

Professor Michael DeGolyer of HKBU, who
arranged access for the NDI to Hong Kong students

 

NDI 2007 election monitoring activities in Hong Kong

2007 NDI Hong Kong Assessment

In 2007 the NDI conducted in-depth assessments of the November District Council Elections and December Legislative Council by-election.

To assist in these assessments, they conducted a study with the assistance of the HKTP, in which six student volunteers observed the campaigns of five District Councilor candidates (four incumbents and one challenger).

The NDI billed these activities as: “The Campaign – Getting Out the Vote”.

This is how the role of the students was described in NDI Promise of Democratization Report 12¹ on the elections:

2007 District Council Election Case Studies: Student Observations

“The Hong Kong Transition Project recruited six student volunteers who conducted an observation of the campaigns of six District Council candidates, focused on qualitative aspects of their campaigns.

The study was conducted to help better understand the role of Hong Kong’s political parties in supporting candidates during election time, including campaign strategies as well as general campaigning techniques.

Prior to observations, the students were briefed on their role as observers and the need to refrain from participating in any electioneering activities to ensure their neutrality. The observations took place between October 1, 2007 and November 18, 2007.

Students were asked to observe the activities of the candidate and their aides, including types of campaign literature distributed, the reaction of passers-by, what other campaigning techniques are employed, the tactics employed by the opponents.

The student volunteers observed the following six candidates:

·         Tony Chan Independent Incumbent Eastern District,

·         Ken Chow Liberal Party Incumbent Yuen Long District,

·         Gary Fan Democratic Party Incumbent Sai Kung District,

·         Patrick Leung Civic Party Incumbent Eastern District,

·         Jimmy Wong Democratic Party Incumbent Tai Po District,

·         Wendy Wong Civic Party New Candidate Tuen Mun District.

Each student provided a synopsis of their observations by the students. The full reports are being analyzed and will provide qualitative input to a report being prepared by the Hong Kong Transition Project”.

Reference

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: The 2007 District Council Elections, Legislative Council By-election, and Prospects for Constitutional Reform. NDI Hong Kong Report #12. December 27, 2007. See: Promise of Democratization Report 12

NDI Programs in Hong Kong

The NDI sent their first survey mission to Hong Kong in March 1997, prior to Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, followed by thirteen more NDI survey missions Between 1997 and 2012.

The objective of the first and all future missions was identify possibilities for NDI programming in the territory.

First Survey Mission programs

Following the first survey mission in 1997, the following program options for the NDI were identified

1. Monitoring the Development of an Election Framework.

NDI is now organizing an ongoing program to monitor the development of an election framework for the legislative council elections expected in the first half of 1998, including one or more pre-election missions in the second half of 1997 to assess whether the proposed election framework is consistent with international norms. NDI also expects to organize a seminar that would draw on experiences from other countries. Since the Basic Law provides for additional revisions of the election framework for future elections, this issue will continue to be important in the future. A program that monitors the development of an election framework will also help inform the strategy of pro-democracy activists with respect to election issues.

2. Working with Local Elected Officials.

Working with existing democratic political organizations, NDI could also convene one or more workshops with elected District Board representatives in an effort to improve their political organizations and organizing skills. Such programs could help local officials to better address the concerns of their constituencies and to more effectively monitor the impact of government policy on their constituents. As local elected officials and political organizations gain political sophistication and confidence, they become more effective at developing and articulating policies that empower the public and provide alternative, democratic centers of political power¹.

First Survey Mission programs

2006 planning meeting involving HKU-POP and HKBU-HKTP

In February 2006, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) sent an assessment mission to Hong Kong.  The mission comprised George Rakis, Political Director of the Democratic Governors’ Association; Tom Bonier, National Committee for an Effective Congress client liaison and Christine Chung, NDI China Country Director.

Amongst others, the mission met with Professor Michael DeGolyer of the Hong Kong Transition Project of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU-HKTP) and Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu of the University of Hong Kong’s Public Opinion Programme (HKU-POP).

Professor Michael DeGolyer

Dr Robert CHUNG

The findings of this mission were documented in the NDI report: Contesting Campaigns in Hong Kong: A Critical Look at Infrastructure and Practices², which was written by Belinda Winterbourne, NDI Program Officer in Hong Kong.

The report was intended to both inform NDI’s ongoing training programs of party members as well as to serve as a resource material for Hong Kong parties as they undertake their own strategic planning.

Programs in Hong Kong from 2007

The outcome of the 2006 planning meeting was that in 2007 the NDI consolidated their activities and focused on four complementary programs in Hong Kong:

1. 'The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong' report series,

2. Public Opinion Polls,

3. Youth Public Participation,

4. Women's Political Participation.

These are details of these programs as recorded on the NDI’s Hong Kong web-page:

'The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong' Report Series

Between 1997 and 2011, NDI conducted a series of missions to Hong Kong to consider the development of Hong Kong’s election framework, the status of autonomy, rule of law and civil liberties, and the prospects for and challenges to democratization.  NDI has published an ongoing series based on these assessments called The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong.  The series is shared with media, government and international nongovernmental organizations to raise awareness of Hong Kong’s democratic progress.

Public Opinion Polls

NDI has worked with partners at Hong Kong think tanks and academic institutions to support public opinion polls, which have asked questions about public attitudes toward electoral reform, Hong Kong’s political parties and governance. One recent report from the Hong Kong Transition Project at Baptist University is based on polling in the lead up to the September 2012 LegCo election.  That report covered public perceptions of the political parties and their platforms. Polling and reports are typically presented to local media during a press conference and private presentations are available to all political parties.

Youth Public Participation

NDI has worked with the International Studies Department at Baptist University to encourage youth participation in public policy areas. The Institute launched a youth program in September 2007, where students from across Hong Kong reviewed and responded to the government’s Green Paper Consultation on Constitutional Development. In November 2008, NDI partners organized a summit for students from eight Hong Kong universities.  The students worked in campaign teams to devise campaign strategies and materials, and took part in a set of mock debates around the issues of constitutional reform, environmental regulation and education reform. In December 2009, the Institute and its partners organized a climate change simulation with eight teams of students each playing the role of a major country, negotiating their own version of the United Nations (UN) treaty on climate change.

In February 2010, local NDI partners organized a nonpartisan public debate on constitutional reform in a Model UN format. After this exercise, the students reflected on their own views to draft a consensual document representing their ideas and aspirations for constitutional reform. Students learned parliamentary process and negotiating skills by coming to consensus.  The students’ proposal was submitted to the government as part of the public consultation process. In 2012, NDI sponsored a youth summit on the chief executive election. Participants role-played the part of candidates, election committee members, media and civil society.

Women's Political Participation

In 2007, the Institute launched a women’s political participation program that worked with local civil society partners to enhance women’s participation in policy-making, encourage increased participation in politics and ensure that women’s issues are taken into account in the policy-making process. Subsequently, NDI local partners have conducted outreach to LegCo members to raise awareness of the challenges predominantly female caregivers face in Hong Kong, such as childcare and professional training opportunities.  Campaigns have also engaged with LegCo members on possible changes to Hong Kong’s comprehensive social security assistance scheme and introduction of a minimum wage.

NDI is also working with local civil society partners to carry out the “Young Leaders for Women’s Education and Empowerment Program.”  The program is designed to provide leadership skills and empowerment for a handful of young leaders from Hong Kong and mainland China.  Each participant has received a small grant for a project in her home community.  The program provides skills building for the participants and mentoring for project implementation over several months.  The program seeks to foster a network of leaders from both Hong Kong and mainland China working for women’s empowerment and civic participation³.

NDI Hong Kong webpage - Where we work in Asia

NDI Hong Kong Programs overview 1

NDI Hong Kong Programs overview 2 (continued from 1 above)

References

¹The promise of democratization in Hong Kong. Survey Report. NDI Pre-election report. NDI Hong Kong Report #1. June 10, 1997. See link: First NDI HK Survey report

²NDI report: Contesting Campaigns in Hong Kong: A Critical Look at Infrastructure and Practices. July 2006. See link: Contesting Campaigns report

³NDI. Where We Work - Asia – Hong Kong. See link: NDI Programs in Hong Kong

Photo credits

Professor Michael DeGolyer. Hong Kong Transition Project. Link: Michael DeGolyer photograph

Dr. Robert CHUNG Ting-yiu (鍾庭耀). HKU Scholars Hub. Link: Robert CHUNG photograph

NDI Delegation visits Hong Kong in May 1998 and Promise of Democratization Report 5

On May 24, 1998, residents of Hong Kong went to the polls for the first time since reversion to Chinese sovereignty, so the NDI sent a delegation to Hong Kong from 20 to 26 May 1998, to observe the May 24 elections. The delegation comprised:

·         Eugene Eidenberg, a member of NDI's Board of Directors and a former senior White House official during the Carter administration, led the mission;

·         Kamal Hossain, former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh;

·         Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development;

·         Eric Bjornlund, NDI Senior Associate Regional Director for Asia;

·         Maryam Montague, NDI Senior Program Officer;

·         Sophie Richardson, NDI Program Officer;

·         Andrew Fuys, NDI Program Assistant.

The delegation met with a broad range of political and governmental actors, including Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan, Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Woo Kwok-hing, other senior government and election officials, political party leaders, representatives of domestic and international nongovernmental organizations, members of the domestic and international media, academics and representatives of the diplomatic, business and legal communities.

Participants on the mission also traveled to polling sites on election day to observe the election process.

The promise of democratization in Hong Kong. NDI Post-election report # 5.

The results of this delegation’s visit were reported in:

·         The promise of democratization in Hong Kong. NDI Post-election report. NDI Hong Kong Report # 5. 30 July 1998¹.

This report was written by:

·         Eric Bjornlund;

·         Andrew Fuys.

Promise of Democratization Report 5 cover

Key findings of the delegation

Implementation of Article 23

·         The legislature, along with the administration, will need at some point to address the implementation of constitutionally required laws that could affect the status of civil liberties. Article 23 of the Basic Law requires the SAR to enact laws governing such concerns as sedition and subversion and the relationship between political bodies in Hong Kong and overseas political groups (Page 5, repeated at Page 16).

·         Implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law represents one important issue that could face the SAR's first elected LegCo. Article 23 requires the SAR to enact laws "to prohibit treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government, or theft of state secrets." The article also requires laws "to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities" in the SAR and "to prohibit political organizations or bodies" from Hong Kong from "establishing ties" with foreign political groups (Page 18).

Election Monitoring

·         for a number of reasons, NDI did not organize a full-scale, traditional observer effort for the Hong Kong elections;

·         the EAC and the SAR government repeatedly stressed that they would not allow observers inside polling stations on the day of the polls. Government and election officials argued adamantly that doing so would be tantamount to inviting outside supervision of the polls;

·         they expressed their strongest objections to the prospect of international observers at the polling stations;

·         nonetheless, NDI organized a study mission to Hong Kong at the time of the elections (Page 8).

Note

National Democratic Institute is listed as an Official Delegation to Hong Kong in 1999

In a report by the Hong Kong and Macau US Consulate General - United States Hong Kong Policy Act Report, as of April 1, 1999, under APPENDIX: Official Visitors to Hong Kong: April 1, 1998 -- March 31, 1999, this delegation was listed under - Official Delegations to Hong Kong, implying it had official status².

References

¹The promise of democratization in Hong Kong. NDI Post-election report. NDI Hong Kong Report # 5. 30 July 1998 Link to all Promise of Democratization Reports

²Hong Kong and Macau US Consulate General. United States Hong Kong Policy Act Report, as of April 1, 1999, under APPENDIX: Official Visitors to Hong Kong: April 1, 1998 -- March 31, 1999. Official Delegations to Hong Kong. The National Democratic Institute See Report 

NDI survey mission visits Hong Kong in March 1998 and Promise of Democratization Reports 3 (continued) and 4

The NDI sent a survey mission to Hong Kong from 15 – 18 March 1998. The mission comprised:

·         Dick Thornburgh, Former US Attorney General and Pennsylvania Governor;

·         Kamal Hossain, former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh;

·         Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development;

·         Eric C. Bjornlund, NDI Senior Associate and Director of Asia Programs;

·         Sophie Richardson, NDI Program Officer;

·         Andrew Fuys, NDI Program Assistant.

The mission met with a broad range of political and governmental actors, including Chief Executive Tung Che-hwa, other senior government and election officials, former Legislative Council members, Provisional Legislative Council members, political party leaders, representatives of domestic and international NGOs, members of the domestic and international media, academics and representatives of the diplomatic, business and legal communities.

The aim of the mission was to allow the NDI to continue to monitor the status of autonomy and the prospects for democratization in the new Special Administrative Region in light of international standards and benchmarks outlined in the Basic Law. The Institute hopes that this and its other reports will contribute to better understanding of the ongoing transition process and assist those interested in promoting democratization in Hong Kong.

Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong Reports 3# and 4#

The results of this and the 3^rd survey mission in December 1997 and were documented in the following reports:

·         The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: Autonomy and the Rule of Law: NDI Pre-election Report. NDI Hong Kong Report #3. 1 May 1998¹.

·         The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: Hong Kong: NDI Pre-election Report. NDI Hong Kong Report #4. 15 May 1998².

The reports were prepared by:

·         Eric C. Bjornlund, NDI Senior Associate and Director of Asia Programs;

·         Sophie Richardson, NDI Program Officer; 

·         Andrew Fuys, NDI Program Assistant.

Promise of Democratization Report 3 cover

Promise of Democratization Report 4 cover

Controversy sparked by the 15 - 18 March 1998 survey mission

                

The 15 - 18 March 1998 survey mission was controversial, because when the delegation met the highly respected Mr Justice Woo of the Electoral Affairs Commission he told them in no uncertain terms that they were tampering with the principle of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong by demanding access to polling stations and he is on record as telling the NDI delegation, led by former US Attorney-General Dick Thornburgh:

“You are also usurping my function and that’s going against the law”³

According to the NED’s own grantees report on the 1998 Legislative Council Elections, Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor noted:

… on 19 March when meeting a delegation from the United States National Endowment for Democracy, Mr Justice Woo said that overseas election observers were tampering with the principle of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong by demanding access to polling stations. He told the NDI delegation, which consisted of the former US Attorney-General Dick Thornburgh, the former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr Kamal Hussein, and Chomlai Somlaor of Thailand

“You are also usurping my function and that’s going against the law”⁴ 

(See Paragraph 7-07).

References

¹The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: Autonomy and the Rule of Law: NDI Pre-election Report. NDI Hong Kong Report #3. 1 May 1998 Link to all Promise of Democratization Reports

²The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong: Hong Kong: NDI Pre-election Report. NDI Hong Kong Report #4. 15 May 1998 Link to all Promise of Democratization Reports

³SCMP. Watchdog 'would increase faith in poll's integrity'. Published : 18 March 1998 SCMP Article 

⁴Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor. Report on 1998 Legislative Council Elections.

December 1998. Retrievable from: HKHRM Report