Hong Kong police stage major exercise to prepare for poll trouble
At least 5,000 officers will be deployed on polling day to forestall possible localist incidents
Hong Kong police mounted an unprecedented election security exercise on Monday amid worries that pro-independence supporters may disrupt Sunday’s Legislative Council elections.
As it remains unclear whether radical localists will cause any trouble during the polls, hundreds of officers, who are on standby to deal with any eventuality on Sunday, will be stationed at major police stations in each police region to combat possible unrest, force insiders told the Post.
It is understood police are concerned that radical groups might disrupt the elections over the disqualification of some localist candidates.
“There is a risk of unrest [during the elections] because causing trouble is one of their propaganda campaigns to promote independence and reach their target,” one source said.