Hong Kong Democrat Voters Defy Threats With High Turnout
- Unofficial vote to select candidates for legislative election
- Strong turnout sends signal of continued opposition to Beijing
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More than half a million Hong Kong residents defied government warnings and a fresh coronavirus outbreak to vote in an unofficial primary, a strong turnout that signals continued resistance to Beijing’s decision to impose a broad national security law just two weeks ago.
More than 610,000 residents -- representing more than 13% of registered voters -- cast ballots in the two-day vote to narrow down the opposition candidates competing in elections for the city’s Legislative Council set for Sept. 6. The turnout, which was more than three times organizers’ expected tally, came despite government statements that the effort could violate provisions of the new security law.