HK voter turnout edges up despite anger over fire
Nearly a third of Hong Kong’s registered voters elected a new 90-member legislature; It was a turnout that spared government embarrassment but fell short of a strong endorsement of an electoral system revamp that eliminated once bitter opposition in Chinese territory.
The turnout rate reached 31.4 percent at 22.30, an hour before the polls closed.
This result exceeded the 30.2 percent in the 2021 elections, the first election held under the new system.
This rate was much lower than before the election changes, when turnout exceeded 50 percent.
Many of the city’s 4.1 million voters, especially democracy supporters, have turned away from politics following a crackdown on dissent.
Candidates must now go through a vetting process that will ensure they are patriots loyal to the Chinese government.
The government says the changes are necessary to restore stability following mass anti-government protests in 2019.
The government launched a major campaign to increase turnout by adding polling stations, extending voting hours and holding candidate forums.
But anger over government accountability for an apartment fire that killed at least 159 people late last month caused some potential voters to stay home.
In the end, there were enough results to increase the participation rate from 2021 onwards.
“As a citizen, I am fulfilling my civic duty by voting… but I am not quite sure which candidate is a hard worker and which one is not,” retiree Kwan Lam said outside a polling station. he said.
“I chose the person who takes care of the elderly.”
Before the vote, Chinese officials called a rare meeting of foreign media to warn them that they must comply with the city’s national security laws.
After the fire, election campaigns were stopped and remained silent in recent days out of respect for the victims.
The government’s efforts to increase turnout, seen as a referendum on the new electoral system, were in full swing before the fire.
Promotional banners and posters were hung throughout the city and assistance was offered at centers to help the elderly and disabled vote.
Authorities arrested people who allegedly posted content encouraging others not to vote or to cast invalid votes.
The deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades has raised questions about government oversight and allegations of bid rigging on building maintenance projects.
The 1980s-era apartment complex was undergoing renovations.
Some candidates have vowed to fight bid rigging.
City Leader John Lee said last week that going ahead with the election rather than delaying it would better support the fire response.
“They all experienced this fire and shared the pain,” he said of the city’s Legislative Council.
“They will certainly work with the government to promote reforms, rigorously review financing and draft relevant legislation.”
Even before the 2021 election changes, only half of the 70-member legislature was elected by the general electorate.
Now that number has been reduced to 20 out of 90 seats, with the other 40 seats being chosen by a largely pro-China election committee.
The remaining 30 groups represent various groups, especially large sectors such as finance, healthcare and real estate, and are elected by their members.
The “patriotism” requirement required for all candidates eliminated opposition parties that advocated making the system more democratic.
Authorities warned the public against using the fire to undermine the government and arrested at least one person on suspicion of inciting hatred against government officials.
