Hong Kong Holds First 'Patriots-Only' District Council Elections

New electoral rules effectively shut out pro-democracy candidates, leading to expected lower turnout despite government promotion efforts.

Hong Kong held its first district council elections since the implementation of new electoral rules that effectively shut out all pro-democracy candidates.
The new electoral rules, guided by Beijing's 'patriots' administering the city, have drastically reduced the public's ability to vote and increased the number of pro-Beijing lawmakers making decisions for the city.
Turnout for the elections is expected to be much lower than previous years, with some pro-democracy voters choosing to abstain from the polls due to the drastic rule changes.
The Hong Kong government has made efforts to promote the elections, including various promotional activities and offering discounted airfares for residents traveling back from mainland China to Hong Kong.
Despite the new rules, some residents, particularly elderly ones living in mainland China, have praised the government's efforts to involve them in the elections, including setting up polling stations near the border.