Not much at all, according to the recent Hong Kong chief executive election. There were three candidates in the election: Mr. CY Leung, Mr. Ho Chun Yun, and Mr. Henry Tang. The first candidate was seen having dinner with a leader of an organized crime, and Mr Tang was involved in extra-marital affairs, in which his mistresses and “bastard” child was exposed. Moreover, to add fuel to the fire, he also placed blame on his wife’s shoulders for not abiding with housing and construction regulations. All these scandals has generated much resentment from the public towards this rowdy election. Despite all these speculations and media exposure, it merely stirs negative opinion of the public, while having no effect on the election results and election process, since the candidate is selected by a selection committee. “Ordinary Hong Kongers will have no say in who becomes their next chief executive on March 25. Instead the “election” will be decided by a carefully selected committee of 1,200 pro-Beijing business and professional elites”. Should candidates be allowed to remain in election races despite legal issues and blatant offences?
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One reply on “How much should one’s private lives and character count in a political election?”
Interesingly Indian democracy has elected criminals time and time again. See http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/heavy-mix-of-crime-and-politics-in-india/509173. Perhaps in India’s case, personal lives do not count for much when running for elections.