Hong Kong on Thursday charged four individuals over social media posts urging people to boycott the city’s upcoming legislative election, even as authorities intensified efforts to boost voter turnout.
Under Beijing’s sweeping 2021 overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system—designed to ensure only “patriots” can hold public office—the December 7 election will select lawmakers for the second time under the new rules, with fewer than a quarter of seats directly elected.
Authorities said a 68-year-old retiree was charged with the national security offence of “seditious publication” for repeatedly posting online content that allegedly incited hatred toward the government and encouraged others not to vote. The offence carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison.
Three additional suspects—two men and a woman aged 55 to 61—were charged with reposting election-boycott messages, a separate crime punishable by up to three years in jail and a HK$200,000 (US$25,700) fine.
Officials also issued arrest warrants for two individuals outside Hong Kong believed to be the original authors of the posts.
Hong Kong criminalized calls to abstain from voting or to spoil ballots in 2021, despite voting not being compulsory. The city’s top court is set to hear a legal challenge in May on whether the law violates constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, local media report.
Beijing imposed the electoral reforms following massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. The first election held under the new system in December 2021—without any pro-democracy candidates—saw a record low turnout of just 30 percent.
Ahead of this year’s vote, authorities have launched an extensive publicity campaign across the city.
Hong Kong leader John Lee recently appealed to residents to fulfil their “civic responsibility” by voting.
To encourage participation, trains will run extended hours on election day, and some businesses have pledged to grant employees a half-day off if they go to the polls.
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