Hong Kong seeks to boost turnout in ‘patriots only’ election

Hong Kong holds its first “patriots only” district elections on Sunday as a national security crackdown imposed by Beijing further marginalises formerly popular opposition figures in the China-ruled city.
The pro-China government has been seeking to boost turnout, as some observers see large numbers spurning the polls, in contrast to the last council elections in 2019, during Hong Kong’s mass pro-democracy protests, which drew a record 71% turnout and a landslide victory for the democratic camp.
Amendments introduced in July slashed the directly elected district council seats by nearly 80% from four years ago.
All candidates must now undergo national security background checks and secure nominations from pro-government committees, effectively barring democrats, including moderates and even some pro-Beijing figures.
The changes further narrow electoral freedoms in the former colony that Britain returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The crackdown under a 2020 China-imposed national security law has led to the arrests of former district councillors and the disbandment of major opposition parties.