JURIST - Paper Chase: Hong Kong court hears challenge to leader's election

[JURIST] A court in Hong Kong has begun the hearing challenging the election of Hong Kong's new leader Leung Chun-ying [BBC profile]. Chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party [party website, in Chinese] Albert Ho filed two separate lawsuits last month seeking to overturn the election results [JURIST report], claiming that Leung made false and misleading statements during the election. Leung, a land surveyor, pledged that his house had no illegal structural improvements, but local media recently discovered his house contains six illegal structures. Ho has argued that Leung's election should be declared invalid because of his failure to disclose the illegal structures. Leung's main rival Henry Tang lost a significant number of supporters [BBC report] after it was found that his house contained an illegal basement used as an entertainment suite and wine cellar. Leung's lawyer argued on Wednesday that Ho's petition was filed too late [CNA report] and that Leung cannot be removed by a court now that he has already taken office.

Leung was sworn in as the chief executive of Hong Kong [Huffington Post report] in early July. Shortly after he was sworn in, more than 400,000 protesters organized in Hong Kong [AFP report] to protest his leadership. The rally was the largest protest in the city for more than ten years. Leung was elected to his position by obtaining a majority of votes from a committee of 1,200 business leaders and other influential citizens who support Beijing.