Hong Kong votes in ‘patriots only’ polls amid anger over deadly fire

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee urges the public to come out and vote amid expectations of a low turnout.Published On 7 Dec 2025Voters in Hong Kong are heading to the polls to elect new lawmakers under China’s “patriots only” rules, though government efforts to drive turnout have been overshadowed by anger over the city’s handling of a major deadly fire.Polls opened early on Sunday across the autonomous Chinese city to select 90 legislators, though only 20 of those seats are directly elected.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3As Hong Kong reckons with worst fire in decades, many see echoes of 2019list 2 of 3Hong Kong student union suspended over calls for justice for fire victimslist 3 of 3Hong Kong residents demand answers after deadly apartment fireend of listThe election is only the second time since the city overhauled the electoral system to ensure that only those deemed “patriots” can run for office.Political campaigning for the polls was abruptly paused in late November, after a blaze tore through the housing blocks of Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong, killing at least 159 people.Al Jazeera’s Laura Westbrook, reporting from Hong Kong, said “there had been some questions” whether the voting should go ahead in light of the tragedy, believed to be the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.“But Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, said the vote should go ahead, as a way to maintain stability, and that he needed the newly elected legislature to help push through reforms as well as ensure the recovery and reconstruction efforts can move ahead quickly,” Westbrook said.Lee had earlier announced a judge-led “independent committee” to investigate the fire, which devastated seven apartment blocks that were undergoing renovations.He has also urged the people of Hong Kong to take part in the polls, saying their ballots represented reform and support to the fire victims.