Hong Kong holds its first election since a dramatic overhaul of its electoral system that is aimed at tightening Beijing’s grip on the legislature and further silencing opposition figures, critics say.
“Blank votes are direct, active resistance that shows the will of the people more clearly as it can be seen and counted,” Hui told NBC News.The Hong Kong government may be trying to avoid a repeat of what happened this fall in the neighboring territory of Macau, a former Portuguese colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1999.
Hui, who now lives in Australia, said he also expected to see historically low turnout in the Hong Kong election, calling it “illegitimate.” Adrian Lau, a district councilor and former public relations executive, is one of the most high-profile independent candidates. His pro-Beijing rivals accuse him of suddenly discovering his love of country to participate in the “patriots-only” election, while democrats question whether he and other independent candidates are truly from the same camp of opposition activists who have largely been arrested and charged.
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