Hong Kong kicked off voting to elect new lawmakers under Beijing’s “patriots only” rules, but government campaigns to boost turnout have been eclipsed by the city’s deadliest fire in decades
Voters across Hong Kong headed to the polls on Sunday to elect new legislators under China’s restrictive “patriots only” rules. However, government efforts to encourage a high turnout were reportedly overshadowed by widespread public anger concerning the city’s handling of a recent, devastating residential fire that claimed the lives of at least 159 people.
The election, only the second to be held since Beijing overhauled the city’s electoral system to ensure that only those deemed loyalists can hold office, is
expected to see a low turnout.
Of the 90 legislative seats, only 20 are now directly elected by the public, following a political crackdown initiated by the sweeping national security law imposed in 2020. This law has led to the imprisonment, resignation, or flight of many prominent pro-democracy figures.
Tragedy overshadows the vote
The election campaign was abruptly paused in late November after a blaze tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing blocks, a tragedy believed to be one of the deadliest residential fires globally in decades.
Despite the tragedy, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee insisted the vote must proceed to “maintain stability.” He urged the public to cast their ballots, claiming the vote represented support for reform and the fire victims. A somber-looking Lee was seen casting his vote on Sunday.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee casts his vote in the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong on December 7, 2025. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)
“(Your) vote represents a vote that pushes forward reform, and a vote to protect those affected by the disaster,” Lee told reporters after casting his vote.
Lee has also announced a
judge-led independent committee to investigate the fire, which devastated seven apartment blocks undergoing renovation.
Critics point to governance failures
The deadly fire has triggered public demand for government accountability, with some residents seeing echoes of the pro-democracy protests that roiled the city in 2019.
Also read |
What made fire at Hong Kong apartment building the deadliest in decades?
In the aftermath, police have arrested 15 people from construction companies on suspicion of manslaughter. However, authorities also reportedly arrested at least three people for sedition for publicly criticising the government’s response.
International human rights groups have condemned the election process. Elaine Pearson, Asia Director for Human Rights Watch (HRW), released a statement arguing that China’s attempts to legitimise the legislature “hardly fool anyone.” Pearson added a pointed criticism connecting the lack of democracy to governance failures.
“A government that cannot tolerate genuine discussion and debate undermines its own legitimacy. The recent, devastating Tai Po fire, which has raised concerns of government negligence, shows that the lack of democratic institutions carries real costs—in lives but also in effective governance,” she said.
Unlike past elections, which were loud and fiercely contested with pro-democracy parties often winning the popular vote, Sunday’s race looks very different. The city’s two biggest pro-democracy parties were nowhere to be seen, having either disbanded or slowly wound down.
End of Article
