Opinion | People’s disconnection from Legco election could spell trouble for Beijing, Hong Kong officials

Record low levels of voter enthusiasm should worry the Hong Kong and central governments, even if they won’t be fretting over the election results

The impression that it is a game for a small circle of elites is being cemented every day with the absence of public engagement

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Posters promoting the upcoming Legislative Council election are seen in Admiralty on November 23. The lack of energy over the election is visible in the low voter enthusiasm and scarcity of candidates out on the streets. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 10:15am, 29 Nov 2021Updated: 2:20pm, 1 Dec 2021

A recent survey found that 60 per cent of respondents were unaware of who was running for a directly elected seat in their constituency in the upcoming Legislative Council election.

The survey also revealed a record low level of voter enthusiasm – something the Hong Kong government and Beijing’s liaison office should take to heart. Officials need to prepare themselves for a low voter turnout at the polls, scheduled for December 19.

It makes sense. When some are barred from taking part, or when even the traditional pro-democracy groups all decide to sit out the contest, it is a disincentive to vote. Without someone to support, there is little reason to cast a ballot, regardless of whether the seats are contested.

So the survey results on voter enthusiasm, showing that only 52 per cent indicated they would “definitely” or “probably” vote next month – down from more than 80 per cent of voters who said the same prior to the previous four elections – sounds about right.

There is very little guesswork here; we also have the benefit of having Macau’s election experience two months ago as a guide.

Following the disqualification of 21 opposition figures from running in Macau’s Legislative Assembly election in September, the exemplar of “one country, two systems” saw a record low voter turnout at the polls. Only 42.38 per cent of voters cast their ballot in the patriots-only race, a drop from 57.22 per cent in the 2017 election.

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