Hong Kong Police Out in Force as Elite Group Casts Ballots
Hong Kong Police Out in Force as Elite Group Set to Cast Ballots
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong deployed large numbers of riot trained-police as an elite group took part in elections to pick the committee of Beijing loyalists that will next year choose the financial hub’s leader.
At least 6,000 police officers will be deployed as just 4,889 eligible voters from the corporate world and pro-government groups cast their ballots Sunday, Radio Television Hong Kong reported, underscoring political sensitivities around the poll.
Participation has been slashed from the last vote in 2016, when some 240,000 people cast ballots, and just 364 of the 1,500 seat are being contested. That’s down to a controversial Beijing-imposed overhaul of the city’s electoral system earlier this year to ensure only “patriots” can govern. As of 5 pm on Sunday, voter turnout was at about 86%, with voting closing at 6 pm.
As of 5 pm on Sunday, voter turnout was at about 86%. In March, China’s top legislative body expanded the Election Committee to include 300 additional Beijing loyalists, and created a vetting committee to pre-approve all candidates based on a national security checks. Winners of this election will now choose 40 of the 90 seats in the city’s Legislative Council.
The election overhaul came in the wake of often-violent protests against the government that rocked Hong Kong in 2019, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s administration seemingly losing control at times. Last June, Beijing imposed a national security law on the city that has been used to arrest more than 140 opposition figures and activists, and target several civil society organizations.
Hong Kong must ensure upcoming elections are well organized and the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” is maintained, Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng told Lam at a meeting in Shenzhen Saturday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
People’s Daily, a mouth piece for the central government, this week described the elections as being of “great significance.” Their smooth running will lay a solid foundation for the city’s economic development and ability to achieve good governance, it said.
“Our improved election system ensures ‘patriots administer Hong Kong’ and helps us to return to the original resolution of ‘One Country Two System,’” said Lam at a briefing in Hong Kong on Sunday. “Today’s event is of significant importance.”
©2021 Bloomberg L.P.