Macanese legislative election, 2013

Background

The previous legislative election took place in 2009. The pro-democratic camp ANMD+APMD, led by António Ng, received 19.35% of the votes cast, and the next largest party, the pro-establishment camp UPD, received 14.88% in vote with 2 seats while the pro-establishment camp ACUM received 12.00% with 2 seats. Due to the characteristics of the Macanese election system, only 14 members are directly elected. On 1 July 2013 twenty-two parties have submitted their nominations for the direct election including current incumbents (Kwan Tsui Hang, Chan Meng Kam, António Ng, Paul Chan, Angela Leong, Ho Ion Sang, Au Kam San, José Pereira Coutinho, Mak Soi Kun, and Melinda Chan) and new candidates.

2012 reform package

As a result of the passage of "Amendment to Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly of the Macau" also known as the "2+2+100", the number of Legislative Council members is increased from 29 to 33. Two new geographical constituency seats, and two new indirectly elected Functional Constituency seats are created. Another key proposals was increasing the Election Committee for the chief executive election from 300 members to 400 on the next Chief Executive election in 2014.

Geographical constituency

Under the constitutional reform package passed in 2012, this election saw AL increase its total size from 29 seats to 33 seats, half of which are geographical constituencies (GCs) and half functional constituencies (FCs). The GC seats are returned by universal suffrage, with gaining two extra seats.

Functional constituencies

While the electoral methods in the 4 so-called 'traditional' FC seats remain unchanged, the two new seats form an additional constituency for another established association.

Nomination list dispute within MS21

Luiz Pedruco president of 21st Century Macau Association was accused of replacing José Estorninho with his own named on the nomination list. Under pressure he purpose a rally in 30 June 3013 to properly nomination its list of members. Electoral Affairs Commission of Macau soon disqualified 21st Century Macau Association for the lack of valid signatures required for Nomination.

UPD and UGM false start

Kwan Tsui Hang (Union for Development) and Mak Soi Kun (Macau-Guangdong Union) were both accused of illegal campaigning on 8 August 2013. In various locations banner supporting Kwan Tsui Hang were hung outside of the campaigning period. Lee Kin Yun claims UGM vice-president Mak Soi Kun was vote buying during a function gift bags were handed out with the name, photo and address of Mak Soi Kun with the estimated value of 100 Macanese pataca.

Electoral Affairs Commission Bias

Jason Chao chairman of New Macau Association accuse the CAEAL (Electoral Affairs Commission) being bias suggesting the New Macau Liberals should modifying their political platform by deleting two sentences "Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Chan must step down for her ineffectuality," and "an investigation into former Chief Executive Edmund Ho’s alleged abuse of power." On 23 August Jason Chao suggest he may sue the CAEAL after the legislative election.

Geographical constituencies (14 seats)

Voting System: Closed party-list proportional representation with the Highest averages method.

Nominated Members (7 seats)