Voter turnout plunges below 30% in Hong Kong election after rules shut out pro-democracy candidates

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The latest district council elections in Hong Kong saw a significant drop in voter turnout, falling below 30%. These elections marked the first since the implementation of new rules influenced by Beijing, effectively excluding pro-democracy candidates. This historically low turnout of 27.5% contrasts sharply with the 71.2% participation observed during the 2019 elections, which were characterized by widespread anti-government protests and a resounding victory for the pro-democracy camp.

In these recent elections, it is anticipated that Beijing loyalists will secure control of the district councils, as results indicate substantial wins for pro-government parties in directly elected seats. This shift in power comes as a result of electoral reforms that demand candidates secure endorsements from government-appointed committees, predominantly composed of Beijing supporters, making it exceedingly difficult for pro-democracy contenders to run. Furthermore, a July amendment drastically reduced the number of directly elected seats from approximately 90% to a mere 20%.

The backdrop to these electoral changes includes the enactment of a stringent national security law by Beijing in response to the 2019 protests, leading to the arrest or exile of many prominent pro-democracy activists. Critics argue that the low voter turnout reflects public sentiment regarding the “patriots-only” system and the government’s unwavering suppression of dissent.

This election’s turnout is the lowest recorded since Hong Kong’s handover to Chinese rule in 1997, surpassing the previous record low of 35.8% in 1999. These electoral modifications represent another step in narrowing political freedoms within the city, following the overhaul of the legislature in 2021, which also witnessed a sharp decline in voter participation.

Despite government officials downplaying the significance of turnout as a measure of the reforms’ success, they intensified efforts to encourage voting. Nevertheless, Kenneth Chan, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s government and international studies department, suggests that the low turnout was not a result of political apathy or coordinated boycotts but rather a consequence of the revised rules that effectively excluded a large portion of the population from participation.

Sunday’s elections faced technical challenges, with a 1 1/2-hour extension due to the failure of the electronic voter registration system. Some politicians voiced concerns that this glitch may have deterred voters, potentially impacting the election’s outcome. David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, expressed remorse over the possibility that some voters were unable to cast their ballots due to system errors.

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More about Hong Kong Elections

• Hong Kong district council elections
• Beijing’s influence in Hong Kong
• National security law in Hong Kong
• Electoral reforms in Hong Kong