HONG KONG ¨C Hong Kong¡¯s government will press ahead with a ¡°patriots only¡± legislative election scheduled for Sunday, despite doubts over turnout from a local population still reeling from the Chinese-run city¡¯s deadliest fire in decades that has killed at least 156 people.
The vote is seen by some analysts and residents as a test of legitimacy for the Hong Kong government as it tries to appease public anger over the fire amid an ongoing national security crackdown.
Analysts expect a heavy police presence and low turnout for Sunday¡¯s poll, the second since wide-ranging electoral reforms ensuring only pro-Beijing ¡°patriots¡± could run for office were launched in 2021, after pro-democracy protests in 2019 that roiled the city.
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