2019 Hong Kong Rural Representative election

Eddie Chu became the first candidate barred from running in the rural election because of their political stance, as he was disqualified from running in the election after electoral officials questioned his stance on Hong Kong independence and self-determination and invalidated his nomination for “implicitly” maintaining support for self-determination. Chu branded the decision "ridiculous" for "disqualifying an incumbent legislator from running for the post of a village chief".[5][6] The village election process was temporarily put on hold as government considered Chu's candidacy.[7]

Chu later filed an election petition to the High Court over the disqualification, but withdrew in January 2020 after taking into account the outcome of the election petition by Agnes Chow,[8] which ruled Returning Officer can disqualify candidates.[9]

For candidates of the pro-democracy Village Charter, none successfully won a seat. William Ho did not gather enough nominations and was not enlisted as a candidate. In Pan Long Wan, Paul Zimmerman was defeated overwhelmingly by 12–110 after admitting no hope to win the election,[14] similar for Carol Ho of Pak Kong by 23–110. Herve Bouvresses, running for re-election,[15] and David Newbery lost by 10–16 and 10–14 respectively.[13]

Stanley Ho Wai-hong from the Labour Party, who advocated ending indigenous rights of housing, was defeated by conservative in Ko Tong of Sai Kung.[17] Sum Shui-ying of Democratic Party was declared elected as the sole candidate of Wa Mei Shan in Fanling, who promised to bring voices of democracy into the Rural Committee.[18]

Half a year after the election defeat amidst the pro-democracy protest movement, Carol Ho received threats accusing her of supporting Hong Kong independence and hampering the peace of the village.[19]

With 65 candidates vying for 39 seats, Cheung Chau is one of the closely watched races. Voter shall cast ballot for 39 candidates under block voting system.

Reformist Cheung Chau Synergy, led by pro-business Cheung Chau South District Councillor Kwong Koon-wan, and conservative Cheung Chau Community Alliance, by pro-Beijing Cheung Chau North District Councillor Lee Kwai-chun, fielded 33 and 32 candidates respectively.[20] As the two Cheung Chau constituencies in the District Council would merge into one in 2019 local election, the poll became increasingly competitive.

Community Alliance eventually took up 25 seats, while Synergy only won 14 but made a net gain of 8 seats compared to the last election. Perceived to be risky after losing support, [21] the conservatives retained their majority and the control of Cheung Chau Rural Committee.

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Cheung Chau Community Alliance			25	6
	Cheung Chau Synergy			14	8
Total				39	–
Valid votes		3,465	97.52
Invalid/blank votes		88	2.48
Total votes		3,553	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		7,104	50.01

In September 2018, Chan Kam-wah of Ping Yeung in Ta Kwu Ling declared breaking off parental relationship with his son, North District Councillor Frank Chan Shung-fai.[22] Senior Chan slammed "unfilial" Frank Chan in the statement on newspaper, while Frank Chan said it was an attempt by his father to pressurize his ex-wife to turn over her possessions over a financial dispute with the new wife.[23]

The election for Ping Yeung Indigenous Inhabitants Representatives saw eight candidates running for four seats.[13] The four on Frank Chan's team were defeated, while Chan Kam-wah was re-elected with the highest number of votes amongst all.[24] Despite so, Frank Chan's sister Chan Yuet-ming was elected as Resident Representative by one vote. Chan Kam-wah eventually abandoned his re-election bid as chairman of Ta Kwu Leng Rural Committee, and gave way to his daughter Chan Yuet-ming to become the first Rural Committee chairwoman in Hong Kong's history.[25]