Massive turnout in vote seen as protest referendum

HONG KONG (AP) :

Voters in Hong Kong turned out in droves on Sunday in district council elections seen as a barometer of public support for pro-democracy protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for more than five months.

The Electoral Affairs Commission did not immediately provide the final turnout rate after voting ended at 10:30 p.m. But an hour earlier, it said that 69 per cent of the city’s 4.1 million registered voters had cast ballots. That sharply exceeded the 47 per cent turnout in the same election four years ago.

The election was carried out peacefully, with hardly any voters seen wearing protesters’ trademark black clothing or face masks.

David Alton, a member of the British House of Lords who is among a group of international observers, hailed the high turnout. “It shows that there is a great groundswell in Hong Kong who believes in democracy,” he said.

Election results were expected early Monday.

The normally low-key race for 452 seats in Hong Kong’s 18 district councils has taken on symbolic importance in a city polarized by the protests. A strong showing by the opposition would show that the public still supports the protesters, even as they resort to increasing violence.

Protesters have smashed storefronts of businesses seen as sympathetic to China, torched toll booths, shut down a major tunnel and engaged in pitched battles with police, countering tear gas volleys and water cannons with torrents of gasolene bombs. More than 5,000 people have been arrested.

One voter, Christina Li, said it was important for older people like herself to support the youth who are at the forefront of the protests.

“Younger generations might not be able to enjoy the rights that we are enjoying now,” she said as she waited in line outside a polling station. “We cannot take it for granted.”

Many people in Hong Kong share the concern of protesters about growing Chinese influence over the former British colony, which was returned to China in 1997. The protesters’ demands include democratic elections for the city’s leader and legislature, and an investigation into alleged police brutality in suppressing the protests. Many voters turned up early to cast their ballots, causing long lines that extended for blocks.