Hong Kong experienced a near-record low voter turnout of 31.9% in the recent Legislative Council elections, reflecting widespread public discontent following a tragic apartment fire that claimed at least 159 lives. The elections, held under a "patriots only" framework, saw a decline in registered voters for the fourth consecutive year, with the total number of votes cast dropping to 1.3 million from 1.4 million in 2021.

Election Context

The elections were conducted on Sunday, with only candidates vetted as "patriots" allowed to stand for election in the city's 90-seat legislature. This limitation followed an electoral overhaul in 2021, which significantly reduced the number of directly elected seats and permitted only pro-Beijing candidates. The government attempted to boost voter participation by extending polling hours and launching a campaign featuring posters and an election anthem, but these efforts failed to significantly increase turnout.

Public Reaction to Tragedy

The elections took place in the aftermath of the Tai Po fire, Hong Kong's deadliest tragedy in decades. As investigations into building safety violations emerged, residents demanded transparency and accountability from the government. However, the authorities' response has been to intensify security measures, leading to arrests of individuals associated with calls for accountability and memorial activities for the victims.

Crackdown on Dissent

In a bid to suppress dissent, the Hong Kong government has cracked down on those perceived to be inciting voter boycotts. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) reported that 11 individuals were arrested during the election period for allegedly encouraging others not to vote or to cast invalid votes. This crackdown is viewed as a significant test of Beijing's national security regime in Hong Kong, reminiscent of the pro-democracy protests that occurred in 2019 and 2020.

Wrap-up

The low voter turnout in Hong Kong's Legislative Council elections underscores the growing disillusionment among the populace in the face of government restrictions and recent tragedies. As calls for accountability continue to clash with state security measures, the situation in Hong Kong remains tense, highlighting the challenges facing civic engagement in the region.

Sources: theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team