Hong Kong Elections: South China Morning Post

More than 70 percent of Hong Kong’s registered voters turned out for district council elections, firmly rejecting unchecked control from China. “The tsunami of disaffection among voters was clear across the board, as pan-democrats rode the wave to win big in poor and rich neighbourhoods, in both protest-prone and non-protest-afflicted districts and, in downtown areas as well as the suburbs,” reports a South China Morning Post team, noting that all councils had previously been in establishment control. “Although the district councils handle local matters and have no direct say over the chief executive’s programme, the elections were seen as a barometer of support…” Large protests, at times violent, have disrupted Hong Kong since mid-June. Pan-democrats won 17 of 18 councils with 347 of 452 seats; independents won 45 seats and establishment candidates won 60. One establishment candidate suggested the results reflected political stances rather than work done. Winners expect the government to respond to five demands including withdrawal of a bill allowing extradition to China, amnesty for those arrested on June 12, a commission to examine allegations of excessive use of force by police and support for universal suffrage. Many in Hong Kong express hope the decisive results eliminate need for protests. – YaleGlobal