Hong Kong residents headed to the polls on Sunday for Legislative Council elections amid grief and anger following the city’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years.

Authorities moved to maintain stability while encouraging voter participation under tight security.

The deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which claimed at least 159 lives, cast a long shadow over Sunday’s elections. Residents remain traumatised, as authorities face mounting pressure to respond to both public grief and criticism. The blaze, caused by substandard building materials during renovations, took nearly two days to extinguish.

Security was heavy around the affected area, with about 100 police patrolling early on Sunday. Officials also launched criminal and corruption investigations to address public discontent and prevent unrest.

Citizens voice frustration and distrust

Many residents expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the tragedy. Cheng, a resident in his late 70s, said he would boycott voting. “This is a result of a flawed government … there is not a healthy system now,” he told Reuters, fearing repercussions for criticizing authorities.

At a memorial near the destroyed apartment blocks, preparations to clear the site after the election suggested heightened government anxiety over public anger.

Beijing and Hong Kong authorities push for turnout

China’s national security office warned against “anti-China” protests and urged residents to participate in the polls. Chief Executive John Lee emphasized that every vote represents both support for fire victims and progress in government reforms.

“Every voter is a stakeholder in the homeland of Hong Kong,” a statement said, urging citizens to vote sincerely and support reconstruction efforts.

The polls are only open to candidates vetted as “patriots” by the Beijing-backed administration. Of the 90 seats in the Legislative Council, only 20 are directly elected. Since the 2021 electoral overhaul, the number of registered voters has dropped for four consecutive years, down to 4.13 million from 4.47 million in 2021.

Pro-democracy parties are largely absent, following disbandment and resignations, further reducing political competition. Sunday’s election is thus another test of Beijing’s grip over Hong Kong governance.

Arrests and suppression of criticism

Authorities have arrested several individuals in the aftermath of the fire. Fifteen people from construction companies face manslaughter charges, while at least three others were detained for allegedly criticizing the government. A student union at a local university was also shut down after posting messages expressing condolences and calling for accountability.

The city’s last Legislative Council election in 2021 recorded the lowest turnout since 1997 at 30.2%, a trend likely to continue as public disillusionment grows.