Record-Low Turnout Plagues Hong Kong's 'Patriots-Only' Election

Hong Kong's "patriots only" district election, which excluded opposition democrats from the ballot, saw a record low voter turnout of 27.5%. The decline in participation is attributed to the imposition of a national security law and an overhaul of the electoral system by Beijing, which has restricted democratic participation. The election, deemed undemocratic by many, saw a significant decrease in turnout compared to the previous election in 2019. The new electoral system reduced directly elected seats by 80% and required candidates to undergo national security background checks. The election was marred by disruptions, arrests, and an electronic poll register system failure. Critics argue that the election represents a setback for democratic rights in Hong Kong.