Against All Odds: How the SAR Government Crushed Election Pessimism

Let’s be honest: the narrative going into this Legislative Council election was bleak. Following the tragedy of the Tai Po fire, the pundits were out in force, predicting a turnout that would "definitely be lower than the last one." They claimed the heavy atmosphere hanging over society made a final promotional push impossible. Even the six major chambers of commerce had to scrap their voting discount campaign, further dampening the mood. The critics said it was over before it began.

But the numbers tell a different story: turnout has actually surpassed the previous election. This proves the SAR government didn't just weather the storm—they met the difficulties head-on and played a strong game against the odds.

What we witnessed here was the sheer, united mobilization of the civil service. It was more than bureaus and departments going through the motions to promote the vote; the civil servants themselves showed up. The evidence is undeniable: look at the bureaus coming out in full force with a shared mindset.

Dedication in Action: Civil servants wait in long queues at the designated polling station

If you want proof of commitment, look at the Civil Servant Designated Polling Stations (CSDPS). At their peak, these stations saw massive queues with wait times stretching up to two hours. Yet, the civil servants in line weren't complaining. That silence speaks volumes—it shows a team united in heart, contributing significant strength to secure the legitimacy of this election.
 
Logistics Win Votes
The tactical adjustments to the schedule played a massive role in this success. By opening the polls an hour early and keeping them open an hour later, the government captured the demographic that critics usually write off: commuters working long hours and travelers returning to Hong Kong. When you see that evening spike in turnout, it’s clear evidence that residents returning from the Chinese Mainland went straight to the ballot box.

The infrastructure expansion was equally critical. The government set up new "Near Boundary Polling Stations" (NBPSs) at the airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, deployed outreach stations for care homes, and established dedicated lines for medical staff. These weren't just gestures; they successfully converted citizens who originally found travel inconvenient—or had no intention to vote—into active participants.
 
Consider the granular handling of the situation near Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Despite the chaos of the fire forcing three polling stations to relocate, the government didn't leave residents stranded—they rolled out shuttle buses. Media interviews with fire victims confirm they used these shuttles, explicitly stating they had received government aid and viewed the new Legislative Council as vital for their future help.
 
The takeaway is clear: the government successfully tethered the election to the path of post-disaster reconstruction, convincing citizens that selecting new councilors is their fastest ticket back to normalcy.
 
An insider concluded sharply: where there is a will, there is a way. Through disciplined unity and hard work, the SAR government fought this tough election battle—and won.

Ariel

** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **

Hong Kong’s national security cops have picked up a 68-year-old local guy for allegedly stirring up abstention and blank votes online ahead of the Legislative Council election. He faces charges of “seditious intent” and “electoral corruption,” and right now, he’s cooling his heels in detention while the investigation rolls on.

Insiders say police traced a steady stream of thinly veiled posts on this man’s social media—nudging folks to skip voting or spoil their ballots. Since July last year, he’s fired off around 160 posts, police say. The themes were trashing Hong Kong’s election system, hyping up resistance, egging people on to topple the government, and, yes, inviting foreign interference. We’re not talking about just one rogue, either.

Turns out, this is just a slice of the larger crackdown. By today, Hong Kong police say they’ve unraveled 14 criminal cases connected to the election—vandalism, theft, you name it—netting 18 arrests. Eight of those cases are being prosecuted.

The ghosts of elections past haunt this story. Remember the last Legislative Council race? Ted Hui Chi-fung made waves urging blank votes. Soon after, So Chun-fung, ex-president of CUHK’s student union, and three others got busted and convicted by the city’s clean-government watchdog ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) for “corrupt conduct and illegal acts” after sharing Hui’s call. Last Friday, the ICAC swooped again, nabbing another trio—this time for echoing posts by national security fugitives abroad, who are still yelling for boycotts from the safety of foreign shores.

Here’s where the plot thickens. A sharp-tongued commentator points out that these fugitives, basking in the West, love tossing firebombs online—sending minions to do their biddings while they themselves lounge in comfort. Their real aim? To curry favor with their foreign patrons by getting others arrested for illegal antics that damage Hong Kong and the nation.

Bottom line: these exiles only raise their value with “foreign masters” if local followers mindlessly parrot their messages. But if those followers end up busted or behind bars, the ringleaders simply shrug and look away.

Who’s Really Taking Risks?

Here’s a reality check—how many of the real diehards still in Hong Kong have actually engaged with these messages or dared to repost them? The silence says plenty. It’s the difference between talk and action, safety and risk. Meanwhile, foreign forces have a well-documented playbook: smear Hong Kong at every turn, especially its judicial system, and most recently, the Legislative Council elections. Don’t think these attacks are harmless—they’re meant to chip away at the city’s competitiveness and hit everyone right where it hurts: their livelihoods.

So here’s the call: don’t play the fool by spreading subversive content and risk falling into legal traps. More crucially, keep your eyes peeled for the ploys of these exiles and their foreign backers. When December 7 rolls around, get out and vote—don’t let the instigators win. The stakes are real, and the choice is yours.