This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
Abuse and acrimony as crisis-hit Hong Kong holds district polls ¶
On Sunday, Hong Kong will hold district polls, a crucial test of the popularity of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the pro-Beijing government. The polls are seen as a gauge of the government's handling of the extradition bill, democracy, and the conflicts between the people and the police.
With protests coursing through the city, pro-democracy candidates are hoping for a big turnout to give the unpopular government a 'bloody nose' at the ballot box. The protest movement needs a high voter turnout to achieve this goal, as it was only 47% in the last district elections in 2015.
However, the signs point in favor of the pro-democracy candidates, with 4.1 million Hong Kongers registering to vote, nearly 400,000 more than in 2015. There are no disruptive actions planned for Sunday, but a 'HOW TO CAST A VOTE' airdrop is urging young voters to turn up early and avoid wearing black shirts and masks, which could accidentally spoil their ballots.
Candidate Kwan, a 38-year-old architect running as an independent on the pro-democracy side, has tried to focus on local community issues. However, he has faced abuse and hostility from some voters, with some people swearing at him and throwing his leaflets to the ground.
The poll to choose 452 councillors across 18 districts is the closest voters in Hong Kong get to direct representation. By contrast, members of the city's legislature are elected by a combination of popular vote and industry groups stacked with Beijing loyalists, while the city's chief executive is chosen by a similarly pro-establishment committee.
Political analyst Dixon Sing describes this year's poll as 'a kind of referendum' on the Hong Kong government's handling of the crisis. The unrest has overshadowed what would normally be a calm campaign, with a pro-democracy candidate having his ear bitten off and 17 other candidates arrested over protest-related activities.
