To encourage ethnic minorities to vote, the government has specially set up ethnic minority polling stations in areas where they live to facilitate their voting. Some ethnic minority voters are very satisfied with such election arrangements. Many of them hope that the newly elected legislators can pay attention to the issues of ethnic minorities and help to improve their well-being.
The polling station of Kowloon Park Sports Centre set for ethnic minorities to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
As-Sakay (middle) and his friends, Photo by Bastille Post
As-Sakay from the Muslim community came to the polling station of Kowloon Park Sports Centre to vote. He said that the voting experience was "perfect". Everything was well arranged, and the voting time was quite short, with a smooth process. He was particularly satisfied that the voting time could be extended to 11:30 p.m., considering it more convenient than before.
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The polling station of Kowloon Park Sports Centre set for ethnic minorities to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
As-Sakay (middle) and his friends, Photo by Bastille Post
The polling station of Kowloon Park Sports Centre set for ethnic minorities to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
Uthman Yang, the Imam of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post
The Islamic Union of Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post
Syed, Photo by Bastille Post
Batra Gulbir Singh, Photo by Bastille Post
Batra Gulbir Singh came to the polling station set for ethnic minorities in Wan Chai to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
Moreover, he thought it was quite good that the government had set up a polling station specifically for ethnic minorities in Kowloon Park this year. Since the polling station was close to his residence, it was very easy for him to come and vote.
The polling station of Kowloon Park Sports Centre set for ethnic minorities to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
When asked about his criteria for choosing voted candidates, As-Sakay said that what he would be most concerned about was whether the candidates could truly help to improve the well-being of ethnic minorities rather than just merely making promises. For the next four years, he hoped that the newly elected Legislative Council members could bring more substantive assistance and benefits to Hong Kong and ethnic minority communities, making everyone's life better.
Uthman Yang, the Imam of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post
Uthman Yang, the Imam of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, encouraged ethnic minorities to actively participate in voting during an interview with Bastille Post. As for him, his selection criteria for voted legislators are to be capable, hardworking and pragmatic. He hoped the newly elected legislators could offer valuable advice and suggestions to the government and come up with good policies. He wished the government would formulate some preferential policies for ethnic minorities to help them improve their livelihoods and employment. For instance, in terms of education, the legislators can help them integrate into Hong Kong society, as learning Chinese would be a challenge for them, and they would also face language barriers when looking for jobs in Hong Kong.
The Islamic Union of Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post
In addition, there are 300,000 Muslims in Hong Kong, which evokes a great demand for religious venues. Currently, there is a shortage of such venues. Uthman Yang hoped that the government could enhance its support in this regard. In his eyes, the composition of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong is rather complex, involving people coming from different countries. He hoped that the government could pay more attention to their requirements, enabling ethnic minorities to integrate into Hong Kong society and contribute to the prosperity of Hong Kong.
Syed, Photo by Bastille Post
The Indian, Syed, was very satisfied with the voting arrangement this year, describing it as "terrific". His entire voting process was completed in about three minutes. He said that the guidance at the polling station was quite easy to understand, and the related staff all had a very good service attitude.
Syed has lived in Hong Kong for over 24 years. Regarding his selection criteria for voted legislators, he said he would support those who truly care about the Hong Kong residents, especially the ethnic minorities. For the next four years, he sincerely hoped that the newly elected Legislative Council members would pay more attention to the needs of ethnic minorities, especially those from the Indian community, and continue to take good care of their well-being.
Batra Gulbir Singh, Photo by Bastille Post
There is also a considerable number of Sikhs in Hong Kong. Batra Gulbir Singh, in his eighties, has been living and working in Hong Kong for 40 years as an accountant. For the new Legislative Council members, he hoped that they could help Hong Kong turn into a more harmonious society.
Batra Gulbir Singh came to the polling station set for ethnic minorities in Wan Chai to vote, Photo by Bastille Post
He also hoped that the newly elected legislators could assist ethnic minorities in the aspect of education. He mentioned that a kindergarten, which was specifically set up for ethnic minorities, was relocated earlier due to the requirement of project construction. As for now, he hoped that the kindergarten could be moved back into the Sikh Temple to save rent.
HONG KONG (AP) — About a third of Hong Kong 's registered voters elected a new 90-member legislature Sunday, a turnout that avoided an embarrassment for the government but fell short of a ringing endorsement of an electoral system revamp that eliminated the once feisty opposition in the Chinese territory.
The turnout rate reached 31.4% at 10:30 p.m., one hour before the polls closed. That result surpassed the 30.2% in the 2021 election, the first held under the new system. It was much lower than before the electoral changes, when turnout topped 50%.
Many of the city’s 4.1 million eligible voters, especially democracy supporters, have turned away from politics since a crackdown that has stifled dissent. Candidates must now go through a vetting process that ensures they are patriots who are loyal to the Chinese government. The government says the changes were needed to bring stability after massive anti-government protests in 2019.
The government launched a major campaign to drive up turnout, adding polling stations, extending voting hours and holding candidate forums. But public anger over government accountability in an apartment fire that killed at least 159 people late last month threatened to keep some potential voters at home.
In the end, enough came out to nudge up the turnout rate from 2021.
“I’m performing my civic duty as a citizen to vote … but I’m not too certain which candidate is hardworking and which is not,” retiree Kwan Lam said outside a polling station. “I chose the one who cares for the elderly.”
Ahead of the vote, Chinese authorities called foreign media to a rare meeting to warn them that they need to comply with the city's national security laws.
Election campaigning was suspended after the fire and remained subdued in the final days out of respect for the victims.
Government efforts to drive up turnout, seen as a referendum on the new electoral system, had been in full swing before the blaze. Promotional banners and posters were hung throughout the city and subsidies offered to centers for older people and people with disabilities to help them vote.
Authorities arrested people who allegedly posted content that incited others not to vote or cast invalid votes.
Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has raised questions over government oversight and suspected bid-rigging in building maintenance projects. The 1980s-era apartment complex was undergoing renovations.
Some candidates pledged to combat bid-rigging.
City leader John Lee said last week that going ahead with the election, rather than delaying it, would better support the response to the fire.
"They have all experienced this fire and shared the pain,” he said of the city's Legislative Council. “They will certainly work with the government to promote reforms, diligently review funding, and draft relevant laws.”
Even before the 2021 electoral changes, only half of what had been a 70-member legislature was chosen by the general electorate.
Now, that has been reduced to 20 out of 90 seats and 40 others are chosen by a largely pro-Beijing election committee. The remaining 30 represent various groups — mainly major industries such as finance, health care and real estate — and are elected by their members.
The “patriots” requirement for all candidates has pushed out the opposition parties, which advocated for making the system more democratic.
The candidate pool seems to reflect Beijing's desire to have more lawmakers who are more in tune with its agenda, some observers said, in what they see as signs of Beijing’s tightening control even over its loyalists.
Lee has said that personnel changes are normal during an election. He criticized attempts to “distort” these changes to smear the new election system.
A fall in turnout would have shown that even some government supporters are staying away, said John Burns, an honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong.
“It is a reflection of public sentiment,” he said.
Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong summoned representatives of several foreign news outlets, including The Associated Press, on Saturday.
Some foreign media had spread false information and smeared the government's disaster relief efforts after the fire, as well as attacked and interfered with the legislative elections, the Office for Safeguarding National Security said in a statement.
“No media outlet may use ‘freedom of the press’ as a pretext to interfere in China’s internal affairs or Hong Kong affairs,” the statement said.
Authorities have warned the general public against using the fire to try to undermine the government and have arrested at least one person on suspicion of inciting hatred against government officials.
Moritsugu reported from Beijing. Associated Press writer Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong contributed to this report.
People walk past a polling station near the site of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee casts his ballot at a polling station during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
People read the candidates information at a polling station near the site of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee, poses for photos at a polling station during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee speaks to the media at a polling station during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee casts his ballot at a polling station during the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
People look at a candidate brochure of the Hong Kong Legislative Council General Election at a forum in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
Pedestrians walk past the banner promoting the Hong Kong Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)
