Low voter turnout characterizes Hong Kong election

From Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- The weekend elections in Hong Kong were marked by low turnout and widespread public disenchantment with Hong Kong's political system and its chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, according to his critics.

Barely 43 percent of registered voters cast their ballots -- 10 percent fewer than in the last legislative elections two years ago.

"The pro-democracy voters abstained," said Cyd Ho, a pro-democracy legislator. "The turnout rate decreased. Voters were very disappointed with all the restrictions on the legislature."

Critics of Tung and his administration hung on to a small majority of the 24 directly elected seats. But despite a scandal involving one of its leaders, the main pro-Tung, pro-Beijing party largely held its ground.

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And, with the 36 remaining seats chosen by special interest groups allied with the government, Tung was assured of a supportive majority in the new legislature.

The chief executive acknowledged the disappointing turnout but downplayed its implications.

"There were many reasons," he said. "More than one, more than two, more than three. We're still looking into the reasons for the low turnout."

But for some, the reason was clear.

"There is no positive feeling among ordinary people toward Mr. Tung," Cyd Ho said.

"People are upset with the government," said Michael DeGolyer of the Hong Kong Transition Project. "They are more upset by the prevailing structure of government failing to operate."

A lack of accountability stemming from a virtually powerless legislature taking orders from Tung's executive-led administration, polls show, is one strong reason.

"The Executive Council makes all policy," said DeGolyer. "The (legislature) does not make policy."

Under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the territory is gradually supposed to move toward more democratization. But Tung Chee Hwa has so far resisted calls to speed up the process.

After this vote, though, those calls may get louder, as more and more people demand a political system designed to reflect the public will.

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Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) World Wide Web Server
The Hong Kong Transition Project

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