Turnout hits record low for Hong Kong’s ‘patriots’-only election
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Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet–ngor, leader of Hong Kong arrives at the polling stations to cast her vote for the 2021 Legislative Council General Election.
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An increase in the turnout overhauled “patriots”-only legislative electionIn Hong Kong, Sunday’s vote turnout was at an all-time low.
Turnout at the polls was only 30.2% after they closed. The 58% turnout for the last legislative poll was five years back. After the return of British rule to China, the last legislative election that saw a record turnout was 43% in 2000.
The election — in which only candidates screened by the government as “patriots” can run — has been criticized by some activists, foreign governments and rights groups while mainstream pro-democracy parties are not participating.
As observers view it as a key issue in an election, where many pro-democracy candidates have been absent, turnout will play a crucial role. More than one third of seats will be chosen by a Beijing committee, which is known for its support of Beijing loyalists. China-imposed national security law has jailed scores of democrats. The civil society organizations have been disbanded.
Only 20 seats out of 90 were filled through direct election.
“Clearly the goal of government is to get a high turnout. It could delegitimize this election,” Jean-Pierre Cabestan said, who is a professor in political science at Hong Kong Baptist University.
On Saturday, the government sent out blanket texts to Hong Kong residents in an attempt to encourage them to vote. Some critics urged people not to go as protest. In Hong Kong, it is illegal to encourage someone to not vote or cast an invalid ballot.
The poll was representative of Hong Kong’s leaders, they claim. The leaders of Hong Kong insist that the reform, similar to the 2017 security law, was necessary in order to stabilize the region after the protracted protests which rocked it as an Asian financial center.
With 10,000 police on the streets and some 40,000 workers from government elections, security was tight in the city.
‘Situation critical’
Tam Po Chu, a university teacher of language, stated shortly before she cast her vote that it would encourage stability. She also hoped that new council members would listen to the people. She stated, “It is useless for them to not think of Hong Kongers.”
John Lee Chief Secretary was a former Security Chief and urged voters to attend. He said those not allowed were traitors who wanted the vote fail.
Passersby were still distributing flyers by mid-afternoon near the quiet polling booths.
Starry Lee (head of the largest pro Beijing party DAB) said that “the situation is critical” in a loop recorded on a loudspeaker located in Wong Tai Sin’s working class Wong Tai Sin area. I urge all to vote.
Jack Ng a local fruit seller, however, did not agree with Lee’s appeal. Jack stated that he would not participate in an election which was neither democratic nor fair. “I don’t understand why she is campaigning. Ng is in his 20s and said, “She will win. It is absurd.”
Some people who refused to vote voiced anger over the fact that the election was now a “selection,” and the legislature a “puppet.”
Peter, a 21 year-old student said, “After the electoral system was radically changed by government, we are no longer able to elect our representatives, and our candidates were imprisoned by the regime.”
“Under these serious suppressions, refusing vote is apparently our only avenue to vent our anger.”
Many stations had higher traffic than polling stations due to the availability of free transport services such as tram, train and bus rides.
At the beginning of the voting, Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong had stated to reporters that she was responsible for ensuring the election was fair and transparent. However this did not apply to the turnout rate.
Following polling ended, she stated in a statement the “show of support” for the new electoral system.
Beijing’s Liaison Office did not reply to Reuters inquiries regarding voter turnout.
Lam began his speech by addressing a group of protestors from the League of Social Democrats.
Ten people were arrested in the lead-up to election for allegedly encouraging people to cast blank votes, as well as people who reposted posts on social media from other people, according to official statements.
Numerous opposition members have not been allowed to contest the election system in Hong Kong since the March announcement of China’s Parliament. This included a reduction in the number directly elected seats.
Around a dozen of the 153 potential candidates for the 90 seats say that they don’t align with either the pro-Beijing camp or the pro-establishment group.
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