Pro-democracy candidates make small gain in Macau election

Reuters

Last Updated: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:35:00 +1000

Residents of Macau turned out in record numbers to elect a new legislature with pro-democracy politicians in the China-ruled gambling hub making small gains despite an aggressive smear campaign by rivals.

Initial results show Macau's pro-democracy camp winning 3 of 12 directly elected seats in the 29-seat legislative assembly, one more than the previous four-year term.

Analysts and democrats say the increase though marginal, when coupled with a record 60 per cent or so voter turnout rate, symbolised a greater public desire for improved governance and direct elections by 2019, the earliest potential window.

"We hope (Beijing) will now pave the road for (full) democracy," said Antonio Ng, a democratic lawmaker, after breaking out the champagne to celebrate his re-election, with one in five voters backing pro-democracy candidates on the day.

Among the other winners were ailing gambling tycoon Stanley Ho's fourth wife Angela Leong, with the legislature responsible for green-lighting potential future gaming policies.

Seventeen of the 29 seats are directly appointed by Macau's leader or selected by special interest groups.

Macau's incoming leader Fernando Chui was returned unopposed in a small-circle selection process during the summer.

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