New election arrangements make it harder for smaller parties to earn votes, says scholar

A political scholar stated that the new district election arrangements favor larger political parties, making it more challenging for independent candidates and smaller parties to campaign for votes.

The comments came as the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) dominated the election on Sunday, winning 109, or over 40 percent, of the 264 seats in the district body. 

Smaller parties, such as New Prospect of Hong Kong and Professional Power, could only grab a handful of seats. Other parties like Roundtable, Path of Democracy, and Bauhinia Party were even unable to win a single seat in the election.

Political commentator James Sung Lap-kung said larger political parties have the advantages of the community network and human resources in the districts, with a more significant impact on the effects of emotional appeals on voters.

Separately, the vice president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Tam Yiu-chung, said the 27.54 percent turnout in the election was in line with expectations.

Tam believed that the voting rate was lower than in past elections as people seemed to care less about politics in a harmonious social environment.

He added that many citizens traveling to the mainland and overseas after the pandemic have also resulted in fewer casting their ballots.