Closed Hong Kong border checkpoints will double as polling stations for Legislative Council voters in mainland China

City’s only two open land borders, at Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, will not be used so as to prevent a sudden influx of people

Voters who cross the border at designated checkpoints must return immediately after casting their ballots without entering the community

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Voters queue at a Hong Kong polling station in 2019. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:13pm, 23 Nov 2021Updated: 3:45pm, 26 Nov 2021

A plan to let mainland China-based Hongkongers vote at border polling stations in December’s Legislative Council elections has been finalised, the city’s leader has revealed, though it will be done exclusively at checkpoints not currently in use.

Voters would also need to specify beforehand which border checkpoint they planned to visit to cast their ballots, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor told reporters on Tuesday.

But she dismissed suggestions the arrangement was aimed at boosting voter turnout for a poll taking place following drastic changes to the city’s electoral system aimed at ensuring only “patriots” hold office.

“This is a one-off measure to offer convenience to voters … This has nothing to do with boosting the turnout. To be honest, there won’t be that many [voters using this method], so it won’t have a significant impact on turnout,” Lam said ahead of her weekly cabinet meeting.

Voters will head to the polls next month to vote in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council elections. Photo: Reuters

Under the sweeping electoral changes, Legco’s membership was expanded from 70 to 90, while the number of directly elected geographical seats was simultaneously slashed from 35 to 20.

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