Hong Kong voters turn out in droves for local election seen as litmus test for protest movement
Jay Wong had never voted in Hong Kong’s district council elections before, deeming the races too local to be worth the bother.“I had to because I don’t want the establishment candidates to win,” said Wong, using the name to describe supporters of the Hong Kong government and its backers in Beijing., which has roiled this city for nearly six months, helped propel massive voter turnout and stunning victories for the opposition.
A record 4.13 million people registered to vote for the elections, 440,000 more than the last district council elections in 2015. Anti-establishment parties also are fielding a record number of candidates.About 7 in 10 of those registered voters turned out to the polls Sunday, much more than the 47% turnout in 2015.
Unlike legislators, who are chosen, partly, by different interest groups, district councilors are the only public officials chosen directly by voters.Though the district council is a largely consultative body with no lawmaking powers, the camp with the most seats can have a greater say on a committee tasked with electing Hong Kong’s next leader, known as chief executive.
“The priority now is to have social order back,” said Muk, a 29-year-old high school teacher, while drumming up support in his district of Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. “The older generation own houses and cars, they want society to be stable. Youngsters have heart and want to change society. But rioting is not the right way.”
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