Editorial | A city in grief shows its strength and resilience at the ballot box
Hongkongers’ ability to mourn victims of the Tai Po fire while exercising their civic duty will be a testament to the city’s political maturity
The authorities’ all-out efforts to promote the second “all-patriots” Legislative Council election were cut short by the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire on November 26 that killed at least 159 people. After three days of official mourning, some low-key canvassing activities began again, but the electoral atmosphere became more subdued.
This is not the first time a citywide election is being held under extraordinary circumstances. We recall the torrential rain and flooding in the first post-handover Legco polls in 1998, the district council vote held amid social unrest in 2019, and the Beijing-revamped Legco polls during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. The largely smooth and orderly ballots were testimony to the city’s political maturity, resilience and adaptability.
With public attention still on the fire and its aftermath, today’s turnout will be closely watched. Understandably, to vote or not is a personal decision. Given that the new Legco will be pivotal to the next stage of the city’s development and reform, voters should treasure their right to vote.
Many of the 161 candidates are unfamiliar to the public. Politically homogeneous as they may seem, however, the aspirants represent different stances and interests within the patriotic camp. Voters should choose carefully the ones who can genuinely represent them.