Hong Kong’s top leader election is wide open as race starts

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, wearing a face mask and a shield, is seen delivering anti-epidemic bags to residents during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Hong Kong, China, April 2, 2022. - Reuters

HONG KONG, April 3 (Bloomberg): Hong Kong’s election season officially begins Sunday, and despite a near-two month delay in proceedings due to a Covid crisis, it’s still wildly unclear who actually wants the city’s top job.

That’s about to change. Contenders now have two weeks to declare their candidacy and secure at least 188 votes from the committee of 1,500 largely pro-Beijing electors -- or 0.02% of the population -- who’ll decide the financial hub’s next leader on May 8.