Hong Kong Is Holding Elections. It Wants Them to Look Real.

China has already determined the outcome, but the government is pressuring opposition parties to participate to lend the vote legitimacy.

HONG KONG — As far as the trappings of a healthy democracy go, Hong Kong’s upcoming legislative election has them all.

Hundreds of politicians hand out leaflets in the tropical heat. Posters remind residents of voter registration deadlines. During a preliminary ballot on Sunday, the government touted a record 90 percent turnout rate.

All the ingredients are there — except one: any uncertainty about the outcome.