Macao Legislative Assembly electoral commission determines candidate eligibility by law

MACAO -- The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced on Tuesday that 12 candidates from two electoral lists are not qualified for the election due to failing to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR.

Seng Ioi-man, chairman of the commission, noted at a press conference that the decision was made in accordance with the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly and based on the opinions sent by the Macao SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security on Monday.

The Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR was amended in 2024, enhancing the candidate vetting mechanism and reinforcing the principle of "patriots administering Macao."

Under the revised framework, the Committee for Safeguarding National Security shall determine whether candidates uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Macao SAR and shall issue binding review opinions to the electoral affairs commission for those who are not eligible. The commission shall make decisions on ineligibility based on the review opinions, which are not subject to any statement of objections or judicial appeal.

According to the briefing, no issues of ineligibility or procedural non-compliance were found among the other candidate lists and candidates for the election. These candidate lists and the respective candidates have all been accepted by the commission.

Seng stressed that the committee's review was legally grounded, and the commission respects and supports the judgment. The commission will continue to carry out election-related duties in strict accordance with the law, ensuring a lawful and orderly election, he said.

Sept 14 was set as the election day for Macao SAR's eighth Legislative Assembly, with 14 members to be elected by direct vote and 12 by indirect means.