Hong Kong election sees lowest-ever turnout with dissent banned

Hong Kong's first district elections for "patriots" saw a record-low turnout of 27.5 percent. The previous district council elections in 2019 had a historic-high 71 percent turnout, driven by huge democracy protests. A clampdown on dissent and the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 has resulted in the exclusion of opposition candidates. The new rules slashed the number of directly elected seats and required nominations from government-appointed committees. Police arrested several people, including members of the League of Social Democrats, who were suspected of inciting others not to vote.