Political D-Day for Hong Kong: candidates in last-ditch effort to canvass voters ahead of crucial Legco elections
All eyes are on the struggle between pan-democratic and pro-establishment forces, as well as on localist challenge
Candidates across the political spectrum for Sunday’s Legislative Council elections intensified last-ditch efforts on Saturday to canvass votes in the wake of a surprise mass pull-out among pan-democrats aimed at capturing more seats.
Voters approached by the Post and those who shared their thoughts on social media appeared to be rethinking their strategy after seven candidates with lower chances of winning announced a tactical retreat by halting electioneering and called on supporters to switch their votes to other allies.
The elections are the first general legislative polls since the Occupy protests in 2014 and seen as the most critical since Hong Kong’s 1997 handover. Voters will choose between not only the pan-democratic and pro-establishment camps, but also a new force of localists who call for independence from China.
It is also seen as a reference for Beijing to assess the city’s latest situation ahead of the chief executive election next year.
As polls suggest a favourable turnout for pro-establishment candidates, all eyes are on whether the pan-democrats can retain one-third of the 70 seats that give them veto power in the legislature, as well as a simple majority in the 35 seats returned from geographical constituencies.
Watch: battle for last Legco ‘super seat’