'Turnout For Primaries Shows Bravery Of HK People'

Organisers of the opposition camp's primaries said that more than 600,000 people had taken part in two days of electronic voting to pick candidates for September's Legco elections, despite a government warning that their participation could be illegal. They had earlier said late on Sunday that more than 580,000 people took part.

"This shows how brave Hongkongers are," said Au Nok-hin, one of those behind the polls. He made the comment on Sunday night.

The 250 polling stations across the city first opened at noon on Saturday, some in district councillors' offices, and others in more unusual spots, including a pub, a bus and a lingerie shop.

The summer heat and coronavirus crisis didn't stop long queues forming outside some stations, as people flocked to take part, casting their ballots on their mobile phones after having their identities checked by volunteers.

The target of 170,000 voters was smashed on the first day, with almost 229,000 casting a ballot, according to organisers, before this figure soared during Sunday's second day of voting.

Au said the target they had set was on the conservative side, because the camp had never held such large-scale primaries before. "This is a small trial in the democratic movement in Hong Kong," Au said.

The former lawmaker said the results of the primaries would be announced on Monday night at the earliest, and it could be Tuesday if the counting of paper ballots took longer than anticipated.

The aim of the exercise was to try to maximise the camp's chances in September's Legco polls, despite fears that at least some of those topping the primaries could end up be disqualified from the actual elections.

Some of the would-be candidates said the primaries had given the people a chance to show what they think of the new national security law, adding that the high turnout would send a strong signal to the world that Hongkongers won't give up their fight for freedom and democracy.

Last week, constitutional affairs minister Erick Tsang warned that anyone involved in the primaries, from the organisers to the voters, could be in breach of the national security law, a claim dismissed by the pro-democracy camp.

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