Update | New-town funding vote prompts people to cast ballots in unofficial referendum
Electors cite the Finance Committee vote as a reason for casting ballots in unofficial Occupy referendum and joining tomorrow's march
The much-disputed passage of initial funding for new towns last week drove more people to vote in an unofficial plebiscite on electoral reform on its last day.
Engineering student Roy Lau was one of those who said lawmakers' approval of HK$340 million to fund development in the northeast New Territories had prompted him to vote - and to join the annual July 1 march for democracy for the first time.
Taiwanese activists who planned to join July 1 rally denied entry to Hong Kong
"I was watching the Legislative Council meeting live on television and was disturbed by how Ng Leung-sing blatantly ignored the procedures and got the vote passed. This was like violence to me," Lau said after voting.
Watch: Hong Kong residents vote on the last day of unofficial referendum
During the meeting on Friday, Ng, chairman of Legco's Finance Committee, limited the time allowed for questions before ordering a vote.