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Hong Kong Proceeds With Patriots-Only LegCo Election as Deadly Fire Shadows Turnout

Officials urge turnout and warn against boycotts, with criminal and anti-graft probes under way into the high-rise blaze that killed at least 159 people.

Overview

  • Polls open on Dec 7 to fill 90 Legislative Council seats, with only 20 directly elected and all candidates vetted as patriots under the 2021 overhaul.
  • Election chief David Lok said the date would not be changed and urged voters to prevent a legislative vacuum by casting ballots.
  • Chief Executive John Lee framed voting as support for reform and pledged to table a bill at the new council’s first meeting to advance relief and rebuilding.
  • Authorities have opened criminal and corruption investigations into the Wang Fuk Court inferno, with police previously arresting 15 people from construction firms on suspicion of manslaughter.
  • The national security office cautioned foreign media against spreading false information, and the anti-corruption body said seven people were arrested for allegedly inciting others not to vote as campaigning remained subdued.