1991 New Territories West by-election

1991 New Territories West by-election

← 1991 8 December 1991 (1991-12-08) 1992 →
Turnout27.4%
 
Candidate Zachary Wong Tang Siu-tong
Party Meeting Point Independent
Alliance Pro-democracy Conservative
Popular vote 21,559 18,858
Percentage 39.5% 34.6%

 
Candidate Yim Tin-sang Kingsley Sit
Party ADPL Independent
Alliance Pro-democracy Conservative
Popular vote 7,780 5,745
Percentage 14.3% 10.5%

Member before election

Tai Chin-wah (resigned)
FSHK

Elected Member

Zachary Wong
Meeting Point

The 1991 New Territories West by-election was held on 8 December 1991 after the incumbent Legislative Councillor Tai Chin-wah of New Territories West resigned from the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) on 8 October 1991 weeks after the 1991 general election as he was being discovered of his falsified legal qualifications.

The liberal Meeting Point (MP) Zachary Wong Wai-yin, who was fully supported by the United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) triumphed over two conservative candidates with rural background, Tang Siu-tong and Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, and a liberal Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) candidate Yim Tin-sang, by receiving 21,559 votes with a 40 percent plurality.[1][2]

The result raised the pro-democracy camp's total directly elected seats to 17, enlarging their strength in the legislature to 21, similar to that of the conservative Co-operative Resources Centre bloc.[1]

Tai was later found guilty of forging credentials and was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for one year.[3]

Candidates

The pro-democratic Meeting Point (MP) nominated Zachary Wong Wai-yin, the candidate in the September general election in 1991 who lost to Tai Chin-wah. As the electoral ally in the general election, the United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) endorsed Wong.

Another pro-democratic party, the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) also field a candidate, Yim Tin-sang, a Tuen Mun District Board member. The two pro-democratic parties fielding candidates against each other also sparked some controversies within the camp.

Tang Siu-tong and Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, both came from rural background also ran in the election.

Result

New Territories West by-election 1991
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Meeting Point Zachary Wong Wai-yin 21,559 39.5 +20.5
Independent Tang Siu-tong 18,858 34.6 +18.3
ADPL Yim Tin-sang 7,780 14.3
Independent Kingsley Sit Ho-yin 5,745 10.5
Majority 2,701 4.9
Total valid votes 53,942 100.0
Rejected ballots 592
Turnout 54,534 27.4
Registered electors 198,812
Meeting Point gain from FSHK Swing

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Yu, George T. (1993). China in Transition: Economic, Political, and Social Developments. University Press of America. p. 244.
  2. ^ Kwok, Rowena Y. F. (1992). Votes Without Power: The Hong Kong Legislative Council Elections, 1991. Hong Kong University Press. p. 28.
  3. ^ Cheng, J. Y. S.; Kwong, Paul C. K. The Other Hong Kong Report, 1992. Chinese University Press. p. 145.