Hong Kong's election on Sunday (December 7) saw a near-record-low turnout after the city's worst fire in nearly 80 years prompted anger against its China-backed authorities.

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong's Legislative Council election experienced a near-record low voter turnout, with only 31.9 percent of eligible voters participating. The election took place shortly after a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court, which killed at least 159 people and contributed to widespread public anger and anxiety.

Authorities reported that only government-approved candidates could run, and most legislative seats were filled by an election committee loyal to Beijing. In response to the fire and public discontent, authorities launched criminal and corruption investigations, and several individuals were arrested for allegedly inciting election boycotts on social media.

Wang Fuk Court fire casts shadow over Hong Kong election turnout

Hong Kong's Legislative Council election on Sunday saw a near-record low turnout, despite extended voting hours and new polling stations to encourage people to vote. The election comes after the city's worst fire in nearly 80 years, which sparked anger among voters against Hong Kong's China-backed authorities. Only candidates who were government-vetted, quote, patriots, were allowed to run for Hong Kong's 90-seat legislature. Of those seats, only 20 are directly elected, and the rest are chosen by an election committee comprised of Beijing loyalists, special interests and professional groups. The government said the final turnout was at 31.9 percent, slightly higher than 2021's record low of 30.2 percent. David Lok is the chairman of the election commission. I think the devastating fire has changed the social atmosphere, making it a very difficult election for us to organize because of the impact on the incident on the general public. But I must say that we are encouraged that under this social atmosphere, a total of about 1.3 million voters walk out to vote. Security was tight in the Tai Po district, where the seven Wang Fook Kuo department buildings were engulfed in flames last month, killing at least 159 people. Everyone is in a bad mood because of this fire. So many hoped that people would come out and vote for councillors who can actually get things done. I think the current government is doing very well. The support for disaster victims is very good. And the support from China is also very good. I hope the newly elected legislators can help the lower and middle classes. Most importantly, really help the citizens. And regarding the fire, the main thing is to help the victims because they are really suffering. I can't even sleep myself. I feel very anxious. Hearing this news makes everyone feel very heartbroken. Eager to contain the public dismay, authorities have since launched criminal and corruption investigations into the blaze. Meanwhile, the anti-corruption agency said on Sunday that four men were arrested on suspicion of using social media to incite boycotts or cast invalid votes. It obtained an arrest warrant for another man for a social media post on Saturday. Publicly urging a boycott was criminalized under sweeping changes that sidelined pro-democracy voices who once made up about 60 percent of the electorate, but have since shunned elections. The agency has warned against using the disaster to disrupt Hong Kong and vowed to crack down on any anti-China protests. The blaze is a major test of Beijing's grip on the former British colony, which it has transformed under a national security law after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

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