The 2016 New Territories East by-election and September general election saw the rise of localist tide where a number of pro-independence candidates were elected to the council. In November the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) set an unprecedented instance to disqualify two pro-independence legislators for their oath-taking manners in the inaugural meeting. Four more pro-democracy and localist legislators were unseated as a result in the following court cases. To curb the alleged pro-independence candidates from running, the government set up a series of restrictions to disqualify candidates from running in the following by-elections.