HONG KONG.–The residents of Hong Kong went to the polls on Sunday with once again low numbers elects the 90 members of the Legislative Councilin the second election, which was conducted under the strict rules of Beijingthose since 2021 limits political participation to candidates considered “patriots.”. The vote was also marked by the impact of the deadliest fire in decades, which claimed at least 159 lives and partially paralyzed the election campaign.
According to official information, the Voter turnout reached 31.9%slightly more than the 30% registered in the first elections under the new system in 2021. Of the 4.1 million residents eligible to vote, only 1.3 million voted, despite local government efforts to encourage participation that included more voting centers, public forums and subsidies for facilities that provide transportation for elderly people with disabilities.
The China’s electoral reform has drastically reduced the number of seats elected through direct elections – only 20 of the 90 are controversial – and established ideological filters to ensure that those who gain access to public office are loyal to the central government. Another 40 seats will be chosen by an election committee dominated by pro-Beijing figures, while the remaining 30 will be appointed by influential economic sectors such as finance or real estate.
The pro-democracy opposition was crushed under the 2020 national security law, leading to the imprisonment, exile or resignation of dozens of its leaders.
The vote took place in an unusually calm atmosphere after campaign events were suspended due to the devastating fire on November 26 at an apartment complex in the north of the city. The tragedy, which left at least 159 people dead and tested security controls in buildings, even led to the arrest of 15 people linked to construction companies on suspicion of murder. “The new lawmakers must monitor the government,” claimed a concerned neighbor surnamed Poon, who lost her house in the fire. Other voters, like retired Kwan Lam, said they were voting out of “civic duty,” although with no clarity about the candidates’ work.
The head of the local executive branch, John Lee repeatedly urged the population to vote and assured that the result would be “a mandate to deepen reforms.”. He also promised to present a project to the new legislature immediately Financial assistance and reconstruction in the areas affected by the incident. However, analysts interpret the low turnout as an indicator of popular dissatisfaction and the growing distance between the government and some citizens, including those who are not openly oppositional.
Beijing increased its control of the electoral process by warning the foreign press that had to respect the national security law. The Office for Safeguarding National Security has subpoenaed several international media outlets, accusing some of “spreading false information” and “interfering” in the election. The Authorities also arrested citizens who advocated for zero votes or abstentionsand warned against using the fire to “undermine the government.”
Nearly five years after the 2019 pro-democracy protests that pushed the territory’s autonomy to its limits, Hong Kong voted today in a profoundly different scenario: without real political competition, with a less engaged electorate and under a legal framework that consolidated Beijing’s control.
AP, AFP and ANSA agencies
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