Hong Kong 'patriots only' election falls flat with record low turnout

Hong Kong's "patriots only" district election saw a record low turnout of 27.5%, as many voters spurned what was seen as an undemocratic poll. Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law and overhauled the electoral system to shut out democrats and other liberals. Security was tight, with over ten thousand police deployed and at least six arrests. Hong Kong's leader John Lee defended the polls, saying it was the "last piece of the puzzle" to secure stability. Western governments have been critical of the authoritarian turn, but China says it has brought stability.

A "patriots only" district election in Hong Kong that barred opposition democrats from the ballot sheet amid a national security squeeze had a record low voter turnout of 27.5% as many voters spurned what was seen as an undemocratic poll.

The sharp slide in turnout since the last such election in 2019 comes after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law that has been used to clamp down on dissent, and overhauled the electoral system to shut out democrats and other liberals.

"It can be seen that everyone has begun to feel that the election has no meaning," said Lemon Wong, one of the few remaining democrats still involved in local politics.

"Even pro-establishment supporters are asking themselves why they need to vote because it's all the same."

Also read: Hong Kong holds first council elections under new rules that shut out pro-democracy candidates

The previous lowest turnout was 35.8% in 1999. Four years ago at the last such election during Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy protests, a record 71% turnout brought about a landslide victory for the democratic camp in a fiercely contested poll.

For this election, directly elected seats were slashed by nearly 80%, while all candidates were required to undergo national security background checks and secure nominations from two pro-government committees.