The disqualified candidates include the “Sinergy Power” team led by directly-elected legislator Lam U Tou and the “Macau Building People’s Livelihood Power” team led by first-time candidate Albert Wong Tak Loi.
Both groups were removed after being deemed as “not upholding the Basic Law and not swearing loyalty to the Macau SAR of the People’s Republic of China.”
EAC Chairman and Intermediate Court Judge Seng Ioi Man stated at a press conference following an afternoon meeting that the EAC had received a review opinion from the Committee for Safeguarding National Security (NS Committee) dated July 14.
The opinion explicitly stated that the six candidates of “Macau Creative People’s Livelihood Force” (Alberto Wong Tak Loi, Leong Sio Iok, Che Meng Lam, Chow Chi Fai, Ngai Ka Fong e Fong Kai Hou) and the six candidates of “Sinergy Power” (Lam U Tou, Ian Heng Ut, Che I Kei, Sio Ieng Weng, Chan Chon Meng e Cheong Iek Chong) were judged as not upholding the Basic Law and not swearing loyalty to the Macau SAR of the PRC.
Based on the NS Committee’s review opinion, the EAC, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Legislative Assembly Election Law, formally ruled that these candidates were “ineligible” and disqualified all members of the two groups. No appeal of the decision is allowed to the courts as happened in the previous 2021 AL elections.
In 2021, the electoral commission excluded five slates and 21 candidates—15 of whom were pro-democracy— with the same arguments given. With the decision announced today, six slates will run in the elections, scheduled for September 14th, eight fewer than four years ago.
Decision has legal basis and is not subject to appeal
At the press conference, Seng Ioi Man reiterated that the NS Committee’s review of candidates’ eligibility and its determination that some candidates “do not uphold nor swear loyalty” have clear and sufficient legal grounds. He stated that the EAC respects and supports this review outcome and will strictly follow the Legislative Assembly Election Law to disqualify the relevant candidates.
When asked whether the disqualified candidates could appeal the decisions of the NS Committee and the EAC, Seng Ioi Man explained that, under Article 33(3) of the Legislative Assembly Election Law, decisions made by the EAC based on the NS Committee’s review opinions are not subject to administrative or judicial appeal.
Seng noted that this provision was thoroughly deliberated during the 2024 amendments to the Legislative Assembly Election Law.
The Legislative Assembly’s review report on the bill explicitly stated that assessing whether candidates uphold the Basic Law and swear loyalty to the Macau SAR is a necessary requirement for implementing the principle of “patriots administering Macau,” with the fundamental goal of safeguarding national security.
Incumbent directly-elected legislator Lam U Tou responded to his disqualification in a social media post around 5 p.m., stating that he found the decision “very sudden, but I am at ease and have a clear conscience.
Therefore, the NS Committee’s review is considered an exercise of political authority, and under Article 19(1) of the Judicial Organization Law, acts performed in the exercise of political functions are not subject to administrative or judicial challenge.
Additionally, the report mentioned that the NS Committee’s work involves confidentiality. If judicial appeals were allowed, the disclosure of review details could pose risks to national security. Thus, the Legislative Assembly Election Law‘s provision barring appeals against disqualification decisions based on the NS Committee’s review opinions is both lawful and reasonable.
Lam U Tou: “Sudden, but I Have a Clear Conscience”
Incumbent directly-elected legislator Ron Lam U Tou responded to his disqualification in a social media post around 5 p.m., stating that he found the decision “very sudden, but I am at ease and have a clear conscience. My original intentions for Macau will not change.” He thanked the public for their concern and clarified that he had not received any written notice but learned of the decision through the same news broadcast as everyone else.
In his post, Lam wrote: “Here, I can only apologize to everyone for not being able to continue serving you! I must sincerely thank all my Macau partners who have worked alongside me—it’s all because of you! And thank you to every one of you who supported us.” He expressed both regret and gratitude to his supporters.
The 44-year-old is the vice president of the Synergy of Macau association, with two other leaders of the association, Johnson Ian and Che I Kei also disqualified from the election.
Meanwhile, Alberto Wong, a former civil servant and a newcomer to Macau politics, told PLATAFORMA that he also learned of the decision the same way as Ron Lam without any prior notification
“My position remains steadfast; I continue to love my country and Macao, and my loyalty to the Macao Special Administrative Region is unwavering. My original aspiration to serve the public has not changed”, he said
“I would like to express my regret to my supporters for being unable to continue my service, and I am grateful to my team partners for their collective efforts. I remain committed to contributing to Macau’s development. In conclusion, I have decided to make no further comments. I will maintain an optimistic attitude and continue to serve Macau in a lawful manner.
Liaison Office firmly supports EAC’s decision
Following the press conference, the Macau Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government issued a statement expressing firm support for the EAC’s decision.
The statement noted that the EAC made its decision based on the NS Committee’s review opinion regarding whether candidates uphold the Basic Law of the Macau SAR and swear loyalty to the Macau SAR.
A spokesperson emphasized that “patriots administering Macau” is an inherent requirement of the “one country, two systems” principle and that as part of the SAR’s political structure, Legislative Council members must be steadfast patriots. The election must adhere to the “patriots administering Macau” principle, and candidates must meet the standard of being firm patriots.
The statement further clarified that the NS Committee’s judgment on whether candidates uphold the Basic Law and swear loyalty to the SAR, along with its binding review opinion, complies with the Macau SAR National Security Law and the Legislative Assembly Election Law.
The Liaison Office spokesperson concluded by stating that the upcoming 8th Legislative Council election is a significant political event for Macau, impacting the development of the “one country, two systems” policy, long-term prosperity and stability, and the interests of every Macau resident.
The Liaison Office believes that Macau society and its residents will uphold the rule of law, carry forward the core values of patriotism and love for Macau, support the EAC in performing its duties, actively participate in election activities, and collectively ensure a high-quality election.
An almost exact statement was also published by the Macau SAR Government, reaffirming support for the Electoral Affairs Commission in ‘executing its duties to ensure the election proceeds smoothly while protecting the rights and freedoms of residents’.
“Upholding the Basic Law and bearing allegiance to the Macao SAR of the People’s Republic of China are the most fundamental legal obligations and political ethics to be observed by Members of the Legislative Assembly. In the constitutional order enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law, persons entering the governing structure of the Macao SAR must be staunch patriots that love the country and Macau”, read the statement.
