Hong Kong heads to polls for new legislature after fatal fire

Voting began yesterday for Hong Kong’s new legislature under Beijing’s “patriots only” rules, though government efforts to boost turnout have been overshadowed by the city’s deadliest fire in decades.

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Beijing overhauled Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021 following the city’s massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests. The first election under the new rules saw a record-low turnout of 30%.

As of just before noon yesterday, turnout stood at 10.33%, compared with 9.35% at the same time in the previous election.

Chief Executive John Lee again urged the public to cast their ballots.

“(Your) vote represents a vote that pushes forward reform, and a vote to protect those affected by the disaster,” he told reporters after voting.

Political campaigning was abruptly suspended after a fire tore through the housing blocks of Wang Fuk Court in late November, killing at least 159 people.