Hongkongers are heading to the polls in an election closely watched as a measure of public sentiment following last month’s deadly fire in Tai Po that killed at least 159 people. The blaze, which swept through high-rise residential blocks on 26 November, is the worst in the city in more than 70 years and has raised urgent questions about building safety and emergency preparedness.
The government has launched an extensive campaign to encourage voter turnout, promoting the election as a civic duty and offering a range of incentives. Polling day visitors can receive “thank you” cards redeemable for shopping vouchers, beauty services, medical check-ups, or insurance premiums. Authorities are also providing free access to public swimming pools and museums and holding community carnivals and a televised variety show. Election organisers even created cartoon mascots and a theme song adapted from a Cantopop hit to appeal to voters.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan said these measures aim to create a “happy and festive mood” and highlight the importance of participation. All candidates have been vetted to ensure loyalty to Beijing, as part of sweeping changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system introduced in 2021, which effectively barred the pan-democratic opposition from running. Critics say these changes have weakened democratic representation, while Beijing maintains they are necessary for stability.
A total of 161 candidates are contesting 90 seats in the Legislative Council (LegCo), the city’s lawmaking body. Approximately a quarter of incumbent lawmakers are stepping down, with reports suggesting Beijing encouraged some to retire, unofficially enforcing an age limit.
The Tai Po fire has cast a shadow over the campaign. Authorities have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter and launched an independent inquiry into the disaster, which investigators say spread rapidly due to flammable scaffolding mesh and other materials. Police have also detained several individuals petitioning for a separate investigation, and online petitions have been removed. Political campaigning was temporarily suspended after the fire, with some government-organised debate forums resuming in the days after.
Chief Executive John Lee said the election must proceed, arguing that new legislators would help support reconstruction and reforms. Analysts, however, predict voter turnout may remain low, noting that the opposition’s traditional supporters remain excluded and some pro-establishment voters may be disillusioned by governance issues highlighted by the fire.
John P Burns, emeritus professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the government will likely see any high turnout as an endorsement of Hong Kong’s reshaped political system. Yet he warned that the tragedy has made mobilising pro-establishment voters more challenging, as some are impressed by the swift aid provided, while others remain frustrated by perceived failures in building safety and governance.
As Hong Kong mourns its dead and questions continue about building standards, residents are casting votes in an election framed by both grief and a government push to demonstrate legitimacy and stability.
