H.K. voting for freedom Pro-democracy candidates make big gains in city election
HONG KONG — Prodemocracy candidates won nearly half of the seats in Hong Kong’s local elections, according to partial returns Monday, as voters sent a clear signal of support for the anti-government protests that have rocked the Chinese territory for more than five months.
A record 71% of the city’s 4.1 million registered voters cast ballots Sunday, election officials said. So far, pro-democracy candidates are winning 201 out of 452 seats in 18 district councils. Previously, the bloc had fewer than a third of the seats.
Among the winners were former student leaders and a candidate who replaced prominent activist Joshua Wong, the only person barred from running in the election. Rally organizer Jimmy Sham, who was beaten by hammer-wielding assailants last month, also triumphed, as did a prodemocracy lawmaker who had part of his ear bitten off by an assailant.
Hong Kong’s largest proBeijing political party suffered the biggest setback, with at least 155 of its 182 candidates defeated. Among the losing incumbents was controversial lawmaker Junius Ho, who was stabbed with a knife while campaigning this month.
The pro-democracy camp hailed its strong gains in the normally low-key race as a victory for the Hong Kong people. Candidates said the city’s embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam must heed protesters’ demands, including free elections for the city’s leader and legislature, and an independent probe into alleged police brutality.
“We won a small battle today but it shows that Hong Kong people have a chance to win the war,” said Henry Sin Ho-fai, a pro-democracy candidate who was elected.
The record turnout showed “a great groundswell in Hong Kong who believes in democracy,” said David Alton, a member of the British House of Lords who is among the international election observers invited by Hong Kong’s civil society groups.
During the months of demonstrations, protesters have smashed storefronts of businesses seen as sympathetic to China, torched toll booths, shut down a major tunnel and engaged in pitched battles with police, countering tear gas volleys and water cannons with torrents of gasoline bombs. More than 5,000 people have been arrested in the unrest that contributed to Hong Kong’s first recession in a decade.
Voter Christina Li said it was important for older people like herself to support the youth at the forefront of the protests.
“Younger generations might not be able to enjoy the rights that we are enjoying now,” she said as she waited in line outside a polling station. “We cannot take it for granted.”
Many in Hong Kong share the concern of protesters about growing Chinese influence over the former British colony, which was returned to China in 1997. The protests started in June over a nowabandoned extradition bill that would have sent criminal suspects for trials in mainland China. But the movement has since swelled into an antiChina campaign.
Voting was peaceful amid tight security, with hardly anyone seen wearing protesters’ trademark black clothing or face masks.