Hong Kong Legislative Election Posts 31.9% Turnout Under 'Patriots-Only' Rules After Deadly Fire

Overview

• Election officials reported 31.9% participation, with about 1.3 million of 4.1 million registered voters casting ballots.
• Only 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats are filled by direct popular vote, with the rest chosen by sector-based electorates.
• A field of 161 largely pro-establishment candidates competed after opposition figures were sidelined under post-2021 vetting.
• Chief Executive John Lee urged residents to vote, saying participation supports reform and those affected by the disaster that killed at least 159 people.
• Police have arrested 15 construction-sector suspects on homicide allegations and at least three people under national security powers, and a judge-led inquiry has been announced alongside plans to bring a relief and reconstruction bill to the new council.