Following an electoral change that made it nearly difficult for pro-democracy candidates to be on the ballot, Hong Kong has begun voting in its first “patriots only” district council election, according to Al Jazeera.
The vote on Sunday, which limits locals to choosing between hand-picked Beijing loyalists, comes after Hong Kongers gave pro-democracy candidates their biggest win in the Chinese-ruled city’s history during the previous district election in 2019.
Following months of anti-government mass rallies, the pro-democracy victory, with a record 71 per cent turnout, was considered an embarrassing loss to Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.
Only 88 of the 470 members will be directly chosen under the altered electoral system announced in May, and candidates must be approved by government-appointed committees.
More than 70 per cent of candidates for directly elected positions are members of the screening committees.
