Hong Kong election: candidates, officials make last-ditch push to drum up voter enthusiasm for Legco poll, even as some seek to manage expectations for turnout

Mass text messages and last-minute canvassing are among the efforts aimed at boosting turnout

But calls for a boycott from ‘foreign forces or anti-Chinese elements’ could affect participation, constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says

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Officials have made a last-ditch push to drum up voter enthusiasm for Sunday’s Legislative Council election. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 1:17pm, 18 Dec 2021Updated: 10:04pm, 18 Dec 2021

Candidates and officials have made a last-ditch push to drum up enthusiasm for Sunday’s Legislative Council poll, even as some sought to lower expectations for the turnout in Hong Kong’s first major election since a Beijing-led overhaul aimed at ensuring only “patriots” held power.

The “emergency appeals” to voters, as some pro-establishment candidates termed them, came as officials braced for what could be the lowest voter participation levels in decades, and as a local court issued arrest warrants for five overseas activists who called on Hongkongers to boycott the election.

In an unprecedented move, the city’s electoral office sent out a mass text message on Saturday, urging registered voters to take part.

“Casting your vote for HK – our home! Legco Election is important to you and HK’s future! Please vote at your polling station,” the English-language message read.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang. Photo: Felix Wong

But Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai warned calls for a boycott of the poll and interference by “foreign forces” could contribute to low turnout.