HONG KONG: Hong Kong voters headed to the polls on Sunday for the first time since an electoral overhaul and a sweeping national security law were imposed on the city.
The Legislative Council election - in which only candidates deemed by the government to be "patriots" can run - has been criticised by some activists, foreign governments and rights groups.
Hong Kong government leaders have been urging people to vote, saying the poll is representative. They insist the overhaul, like the security law imposed last year, was needed to ensure stability after protracted protests that rocked the Asian financial hub in 2019.
Turnout has been at the core of election debates, with the government on Saturday sending blanket text messages to Hong Kong residents urging people to vote and some critics calling on people to stay away as a protest.
It is a crime in Hong Kong to incite someone not to vote or to cast an invalid vote.
Early indications suggested turnout was far lower than the last legislative election in 2016, according to Reuters witnesses. The previous turnout election was 58%, while the 43.6% in 2000 was the lowest since Britain returned the city to Chinese rule in 1997.
Some of the first to vote as polls opened at 8:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) said they were keen to do their civic duty to ensure stability.
University language teacher Tam Po-chu, 79, said she hoped the new council would be responsive to the public. "There's no use if they do not think of the Hong Kong people," she said.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, among the first to vote, told reporters at a polling station in the suburban Mid-Levels district that the government "had not set any target" on the turnout rate, and she was not aware of any set by the Chinese leadership.
Beijing’s Liaison Office in the city did not did not respond to Reuters requests for comment on voter turnout.
Before Lam spoke, several protesters from the League of Social Democrats opposition group chanted demands nearby for full universal suffrage and waved a banner reading "forced to be silent ... spirit of freedom, vote with your conscience".
Security was tight around the city, with 10,000 police and some 40,000 government election workers deployed. Police chief Raymond Siu told reporters before the voting that the mass deployment was to ensure balloting at hundreds of polling stations across the city would be held safely and smoothly.
Chief Secretary John Lee, a former security chief, urged people to turn out, saying those excluded were "traitors" who wanted the vote to fail.
In the run-up to the election, more than 10 people were arrested for allegedly inciting people to cast blank ballots, including people who had reposted social media posts from others, according to government statements.
China's parliament in March announced sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system, including reducing the number of directly elected seats and setting up a vetting committee to screen all potential candidates, saying only "patriots" may administer the city. More than a third of the seats will now be selected by a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists.
An ongoing crackdown on Hong Kong under a China-imposed national security law has also jailed scores of democrats, while civil society groups have disbanded.
Unlike previous polls, pro-democracy candidates are largely absent, having declined to run, gone into exile or been jailed. Some overseas activists and foreign governments, including the United States, say the electoral changes have reduced democratic representation in the city.
The Chinese and Hong Kong authorities reject such criticisms, saying the electoral changes and a national security law that took effect last year are needed to enhance the city's governance and restore stability after the 2019 protests.
Of the 153 candidates contesting the 90 legislative seats, around a dozen say they are moderates who are not aligned with the pro-Beijing or pro-establishment camp.
Hong Kong and Chinese officials have stepped up calls in the run-up to the election for people to vote, fearing opposition to new electoral rules and the absence of democratic candidates will deter voters, some analysts say. Transport operators have also offered free rides on election day.
"Clearly, the government's objective is to secure a high turnout. Otherwise it may delegitimise this election," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor of political science at Hong Kong's Baptist University.
Reuters
Sun Dec 19 2021
![Hong Kong votes in overhauled patriots-only election Hong Kong votes in overhauled patriots-only election](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/51639889160_hongkong.jpg)
Supporters of Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU) candidate Stanley Ng Chau-pei campaign during the Legislative Council election in Hong Kong, China, December 19, 2021. - REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![ARC 2024: Skuad Bunga Raya akur kehebatan Hong Kong ARC 2024: Skuad Bunga Raya akur kehebatan Hong Kong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81717844396_ragbi.jpg)
ARC 2024: Skuad Bunga Raya akur kehebatan Hong Kong
Skuad ragbi Bunga Raya 15 sebelah (15's) negara mengalami kekalahan besar buat kali kedua berturut-turut pada saingan ARC 2024 selepas tumbang kepada Hong Kong.
![14 aktivis Hong Kong disabitkan kesalahan bawah undang-undang keselamatan negara 14 aktivis Hong Kong disabitkan kesalahan bawah undang-undang keselamatan negara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81717062126_HongKongandChines.jpg)
14 aktivis Hong Kong disabitkan kesalahan bawah undang-undang keselamatan negara
Empat belas tokoh pembangkang Hong Kong pada Khamis telah disabitkan kesalahan di bawah undang-undang keselamatan negara, lapor Agensi Berita Jerman (dpa) memetik laporan South China Morning Post.
![Piala Thomas: 'Kemenangan ke atas Hong Kong lonjak keyakinan' - Jun Hao Piala Thomas: 'Kemenangan ke atas Hong Kong lonjak keyakinan' - Jun Hao](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714205905_pialathomas.jpg)
Piala Thomas: 'Kemenangan ke atas Hong Kong lonjak keyakinan' - Jun Hao
Kem perseorangan negara Piala Thomas 2024 berjaya membuktikan kemampuan mereka, sekurang-kurangnya selepas mengetepikan pemain Hong Kong dalam aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D hari ini.
![Piala Thomas: Leong Jun Hao lakar kebangkitan, pastikan kemenangan Malaysia! Piala Thomas: Leong Jun Hao lakar kebangkitan, pastikan kemenangan Malaysia!](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71714189580_TBBAM.jpg)
Piala Thomas: Leong Jun Hao lakar kebangkitan, pastikan kemenangan Malaysia!
Leong Jun Hao melakar kebangkitan memastikan Malaysia memperoleh kemenangan ke atas wakil Hong Kong, Angus Ng Ka Long.
![Thomas Cup: Zii Jia ketepikan 'kegoyahan' kem perseorangan lelaki negara Thomas Cup: Zii Jia ketepikan 'kegoyahan' kem perseorangan lelaki negara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41714133165_LeeZiiJia.jpg)
Thomas Cup: Zii Jia ketepikan 'kegoyahan' kem perseorangan lelaki negara
Lee Zii Jia tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan situasi kem perseorangan negara yang kurang mantap menjelang aksi pembukaan Kumpulan D saingan Piala Thomas 2024 berdepan Hong Kong, esok.
!['Malaysia ada kelebihan di Piala Thomas' 'Malaysia ada kelebihan di Piala Thomas'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713858166_TBSukma.jpg)
'Malaysia ada kelebihan di Piala Thomas'
Pemain profesional negara Cheam June Wei menyifatkan pasukan negara mempunyai kelebihan tersendiri pada pertarungan pusingan pertama bertemu Hong Kong pada kejohanan Piala Thomas 2024.
![Hong Kong tagih sentuhan pakar untuk Piala Thomas Hong Kong tagih sentuhan pakar untuk Piala Thomas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713674821_PialaThomas.jpg)
Hong Kong tagih sentuhan pakar untuk Piala Thomas
Hong Kong, yang mempunyai bekas pemain antarabangsa Wong Choong Hann dan Choong Tan Fook dalam set kejurulatihan mereka, hanya membuat penampilan keenam mereka di pusingan akhir.
![KPKT akan perkenal model perumahan awam baharu - Nga KPKT akan perkenal model perumahan awam baharu - Nga](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/81703738743_TBNGAKORMINGjpg.jpg)
KPKT akan perkenal model perumahan awam baharu - Nga
Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan sedang merangka model baharu perumahan awam yang dinamakan Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR).