【明報專訊】ARE returning officers empowered to decide on the validity of a Legco election aspirant's nomination according to his stance on "Hong Kong independence"? Judging from the different opinions offered by legal practitioners who have referred to a multiplicity of sources, the matter is truly controversial. However, those who think it is purely a point of law miss the point, for it is in essence a political matter. It is because those advancing "Hong Kong independence" want to turn the Legco election into a platform for their advocacy that the authorities have taken action to prevent the cause from gaining momentum through the election. The statutory regulations and procedures for the nomination of candidates have much to do with the spirit of the rule of the law. They are of course important. However, those who advocate "Hong Kong independence" harm Hong Kong's and Hong Kong citizens' well-being, which is equally or even more important. After all, what would be the point of talking grandly about spiritual satisfaction if "Hong Kong independence" advocacy destroyed Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and "one country, two systems" were no more?