Activists in the gambling hub of Macau have announced an unofficial referendum on electoral reform in the latest challenge to Beijing, after almost 800,000 turned out for a similar poll in Hong Kong. The former Portuguese colony returned to Chinese rule in 1999 and has a separate legal system from the mainland. As with Hong Kong, Macau’s leader is known as its chief executive and is chosen by a pro-Beijing electoral committee. Three civil groups have joined forces to organise the poll, which will run between August 24 and August 30 — just ahead of the naming of the enclave’s new leader on August 31.
“Our goal is to fight for a democratic electoral system, and the first stage is to get the citizens informed of the election system,” poll organiser Jason Chao told AFP. “We hope that the referendum will be able to serve as a foundation for our fight for democracy in the future.
“The referendum will give them (the voters) a chance to express their attitudes towards the system.”
Questions include whether there should be universal suffrage for the 2019 chief executive elections, and how confident voters are in sole candidate Fernando Chui, who has been in the position since 2009.
Chao said he hoped for a turnout of at least 10,000 — Macau’s population is around 550,000 — with residents voting electronically and at polling stations.
Full Article: After Hong Kong, Macau announces democracy vote | World | The Malay Mail Online.