Polls opened in Hong Kong on Sunday morning as voters chose representatives for the city’s Legislative Council.
The vote comes days after a massive fire at an apartment complex killed at least 159 people, the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades.
Elections are being seen as a measure of public sentiment after the deadly fire.
Election campaigns were suspended after the fire and a wave of mourning swept through the city in the days that followed.
Low turnout is predicted amid public anger over authorities’ handling of the fire at Wang Phuc Court, which was undergoing renovation.
On Friday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee called on voters to go to the polls and use their ballots to bring about reforms and aid victims of the fire, many of whom have been left homeless.
“While we mourn the victims and support those affected, we must also unite and support recovery,” Lee said.
He said a bill to discuss relief and reconstruction efforts would be introduced in the first meeting of the new Legislative Council.
“They will definitely work with the government to promote reforms, review funding and draft relevant laws,” Li said. Lee said last week that a “judge-led independent committee” would investigate the cause of the fire.
Hong Kong police have arrested 15 people from construction companies working at the apartment complex on suspicion of murder since the Nov. 27 explosion.
At least three people who called for greater official accountability after the fire have also reportedly been arrested on treason charges.
‘Patriots only’ election
The vote is the second in Beijing since the central government reformed the city’s electoral system in 2021 to ensure that only “patriots” who are loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can govern the region.
The reform was introduced in the wake of massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.
A year later, Beijing introduced a national security law that saw a major crackdown on government dissidents and democracy activists. Many have either been jailed or fled Hong Kong.
The first election held under the new rules in 2021 saw a record 30% low turnout.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko