Hong Kong election sees low voter turnout, only loyalists to China running

Low turnout was widely expected, and seven hours after voting began, some 839,563 registered voters, or 18.77 per cent, had cast their ballots.

Hong Kong was voting Sunday in the first election since Beijing amended the laws to reduce the number of directly elected lawmakers and vet candidates to ensure that only those loyal to China can run.

The semi-autonomous territory was rocked by pro-democracy protests in 2014 and 2019, but they were crushed by security forces, followed by the imposition of a sweeping national security law that silenced most of the city’s opposition activists and led others to flee abroad.

Low turnout was widely expected, and seven hours after voting began, some 839,563 registered voters, or 18.77 per cent, had cast their ballots.

Warton Leung, who did not intend to vote in Sunday’s election, said that the lack of choice in candidates dampened enthusiasm for voting.

“Although there is a chance to vote for pro-establishment and democracy candidates, there are few democratic choices, so Hong Kong people do not feel enthusiastic when it comes to voting,” he said.

Others, such as Yu Wai-kwan, saw the election as a chance to vote for a better Hong Kong.

“I am voting to choose a new bunch of people to make Hong Kong a better place,” Yu said. “I am a patriot, and I just hope for peace and quiet, and to have a good livelihood.”

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam visited a polling station Sunday morning and said she had “no particular expectation” about the turnout.