People of Hong Kong expressed disappointment over China's control, voting percentage reached lowest in four years

Hong Kong went from the highest turnout in local district elections to the lowest turnout ever in a span of just four years. In 2019, 71.2 percent of the population voted. Whereas in the elections held on December 10, 2023, the voter participation rate decreased to 27.54 percent.

Commenting on this, Carmen Lau, an exiled former district councilor of Hong Kong, said, "The results speak for themselves. The decline in turnout rates reflects the decline of democracy in Hong Kong. Over the past 40 years turnout has typically ranged from 30 percent to 45 percent." percentage, but the decline in public participation in just four years is unprecedented.

This year, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled government reduced democratic representation to 20 percent, even after candidates were pre-tested to ensure they were "patriotic."

Additionally, during this time the opposition was barred, constituencies were redrawn and most councilors were elected by committees appointed by the city leader or the government.

"More than 1.2 million Hong Kongers marched in the streets against Beijing's rule multiple times during the mass protests of 2019," said Nathan Rouser of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. "The only people who voted in this election were those who supported China." People are massively disliking Beijing's dictatorship."