Voters boycott ‘patriot’ Hong Kong election controlled by Beijing
Pro-Beijing candidates swept to victory in the first major election in Hong Kong since Beijing dictated only “patriots” could govern the city, a move that wiped out the pro-democracy bloc and kept voters away.
With the city’s pro-democracy camp locked up, in exile or banned from the race – and all candidates on the ballot vetted for loyalty to China’s Communist PartyLoading Ninety legislators were to be elected, with the public voting for just 20 of them. Forty others were chosen by a 1448-member pro-Beijing committee, while the remaining 30 were handpicked by professional groups. Voter turnout among the Election Committee was 98.5 per cent, while the professional groups had a collective rate of 32.2 per cent.Candidates celebrate on stage after polling stations closed in Hong Kong on Sunday evening.
The government had made public transport free to encourage voters to the ballot box. Instead, the transport system was flooded with citizens making leisure trips around the city, with attractions such as Ocean Park and Disneyland inundated with visitors. Ahead of the polls, authorities arrested 10 people for inciting others to cast blank votes, and issued arrest warrants forTed Hui, a former Hong Kong pro- democracy legislator, is now in exile in Australia.On Saturday, the city’s anti-corruption agency said it had issued warrants for another five people, including former district councillor Lee Hin-long, on the same grounds. All five had left Hong Kong, it said.
“The Chinese government has given up on opposition parties, as it thinks they have not been helpful but harmful to Hong Kong,” said Ivan Choy, a senior lecturer in politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Beijing wants the government and new legislature to work together to pass bills easily and “without opposition” he added.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How Hong Kong's new election law will reshape legislatureHong Kong is holding a legislative assembly election on Sunday in which candidates have been vetted for 'patriotism' and pro-democracy candidates are largely absent, having declined to run or been jailed or forced into exile.
Read more »
Fear dominates Hong Kong as it heads for an electionChanges mean only “patriots” will be eligible for Sunday’s elections, 153 candidates that have already been vetted by Beijing for their devotion to Hong Kong’s future with the mainland | ErykBagshaw
Read more »
Less than one-third of Hongkongers turn out to vote in legislative elections after Beijing law changesLess than a third of registered voters turnout to cast their ballots in Hong Kong's first legislative elections, the lowest since the semi-autonomous territory's return to China in 1997.
Read more »
'Hugely embarrassing': Record low turnout in Hong Kong's 'patriots only' electionTurnout was at a record low as Hong Kongers cast ballots for city politicians under Beijing's new 'patriots only' rules which drastically reduce the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office:
Read more »
Hong Kong elites pick new ‘patriots only’ legislatureHong Kong's political elites and residents began voting for new city lawmakers on Sunday under Beijing's 'patriots only' rules that drastically reduce the number of directly elected seats and control who can run for office.
Read more »
Fear dominates Hong Kong as it heads for an electionEvery vote from the border control points at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Heung Yuen Wai will count for a Hong Kong government attempting to avoid the lowest turnout in Hong Kong election history, writes ErykBagshaw hongkong hongkongelections china
Read more »