Turnout collapses to 31.9%
Hong Kong voters delivered a near-record low turnout of only 31.9% in Sunday’s Legislative Council election, the second held under Beijing’s “patriots only” rules.
Fewer people actually voted than in 2021 (1.3 million vs 1.4 million), even though authorities extended polling hours, blanketed the city with posters, handed out reward cards and released an official Cantopop election anthem.
Only government-vetted pro-Beijing candidates could run, and direct elections fill just 20 of the 90 seats, leaving a boycott as one of the few safe ways to show discontent.
Tai Po fire overshadows poll
The city remains in shock after the deadliest blaze in decades killed at least 159 people across seven apartment blocks in Tai Po last week.
Revelations about alleged building-safety violations and lax enforcement have sparked furious demands for transparency and accountability.
Instead of answers, authorities launched the biggest national security crackdown since the 2019–2020 protests. Police arrested at least three people on security charges linked to calls for justice: student Miles Kwan (who started an online petition), former district councillor Kenneth Cheung and 71-year-old commentator Wong On-yin.
On Saturday night, officers cleared the impromptu flower memorial near the burned buildings. National security police chief Steve Li compared the scene to 2019 “black-clad violence” and pointed to pamphlets he claimed were unrelated pamphlets.
Foreign media, including the New York Times, faced official summons over their fire coverage. Many residents stopped posting about the tragedy online, fearing misinterpretation or “force majeure”.
At Hong Kong Baptist University, staff covered a student “democracy wall” demanding justice for fire victims and shut down the student union the next day.
Anti-boycott crackdown
The Independent Commission Against Corruption arrested four men aged 31–44 on Sunday for allegedly urging others online to boycott or spoil ballots. Eleven people in total have faced detention during the election period, with three already prosecuted.
Featured photos: BBC
Source: The Guardian
Also read: Hong Kong: 151 dead, 40 missing – 13 arrested for manslaughter
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