THE nine new functional constituencies, despite being criticised for amalgamating unrelated professions into one group, recorded a higher turnout rate than the geographical constituencies.
According to final turnout figures, 39.2 per cent of electors in the nine new functional groups cast their votes - more than two percentage point higher than the rate for the geographical election.
More than 410,000 voters in the nine new groups voted.
The biggest electorate - Community, Social and Personal Services - recorded the highest turnout rate, 41.7 per cent.
The Transport and Communication constituency came second with 41.4 per cent.
City University lecturer Choy Chi-keung said the composition of the ninth new functional constituency was the key reason for its higher turnout.