The Government today welcomed a Court of First Instance ruling that rejected an election petition against the results of the 2016 Legislative Council General Election.

It said in a statement today it respects and safeguards the rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents to vote and stand for election as stipulated in Basic Law Article 26.

It added the Government has a duty to implement and uphold the Basic Law and to ensure all elections are conducted in accordance with the Basic Law and electoral laws.

The Legislative Council Ordinance states a person will not be nominated as a candidate for an election unless the nomination form comes with a declaration that the person will uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In welcoming the court judgement, the Government also said the decision confirms returning officers have the power to determine whether the declaration is genuine when deciding the validity of a nomination.

The legal challenge was filed by a person whose nomination was deemed invalid by a returning officer.

The statement added advocating Hong Kong independence is inconsistent with the constitutional and legal status of the HKSAR as stipulated in the Basic Law, as well as the Mainland’s policies regarding the city.