Hong Kong holds tightly guarded election amid anger over deadly fire • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Legislative Council Elections: The process of electing members to Hong Kong's law-making body.
• Electoral System Reform (2021): Significant changes implemented by Beijing to Hong Kong's electoral system.
• Directly Elected Seats: Seats in the Legislative Council filled by popular vote.
• Appointed Seats: Seats in the Legislative Council filled by appointment rather than election.
• Pro-democracy Candidates: Political figures advocating for greater democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.
• Chinese Communist Party Loyalists: Individuals deemed loyal to the ruling party of China.
• Voter Turnout: The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.
• Apartment Fire (November 27th): A recent deadly fire in Hong Kong that has significantly impacted public sentiment.

Legislative Council Elections Amidst Public Grief

Hong Kong is facing a new election for its lawmakers while still in a state of mourning following a recent deadly apartment fire. Public anger remains high, leading to expectations of a historically low voter turnout. Some residents express a lack of high expectations for this election, while others believe the recent fire has negatively impacted public mood. Despite the prevailing sentiment, there's a call for residents to participate, with one individual stating, "As a Hong Kong resident, what happened at the fire is already in the past. I hope everyone can come out to vote."

Impact of Electoral System Reforms

This election marks only the second time the city will vote for members of its Legislative Council since Beijing implemented drastic reforms to Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021. These reforms significantly reduced the number of directly elected seats from 35 to 20. Furthermore, laws were revised to explicitly exclude pro-democracy candidates, ensuring that only individuals considered loyal to the Chinese Communist Party could run. The previous election under these reformed rules saw a voter turnout of a mere 30%.

Efforts to Boost Voter Turnout and Lingering Anger

In an attempt to increase participation this time around, authorities have launched promotional campaigns and expanded access to polling stations. However, the devastating apartment fire on November 27th has left a profound mark on the city's psyche. The government has responded by promising increased relief and reconstruction efforts to address public anger. A statement highlights the significance of voting: "Every vote represents our push for reform, our protection of the victims of the disaster, and a representation of our will to unite and move forward together."

Election Structure and Limited Public Representation

Ultimately, on Sunday, the public will have the opportunity to decide on only 20 out of the 90 seats in the Legislative Council. The remaining seats will be filled through appointments made by committees that are largely pro-Beijing.

Conclusion

The upcoming Legislative Council election in Hong Kong is overshadowed by public grief and anger stemming from a recent fatal apartment fire. This event, coupled with the restrictive electoral reforms of 2021 that reduced directly elected seats and barred pro-democracy candidates, is expected to result in very low voter turnout. Despite government efforts to encourage participation and promises of relief, the limited number of directly elected seats (20 out of 90) underscores the diminished role of public representation in the city's law-making body.