Elections In Hong Kong: Record Participation After Months Of Protest

A record number of Hong Kongers rallied Sunday for the local elections, the pro-democracy movement intending to use the ballot boxes to increase pressure on the authorities of the former British colony, theatre since June of unprecedented protest.

The participation has exceeded 70%, announced the Electoral Commission, a record rate well above the 47% of the previous election of 2015, and a mobilization that should benefit the pro-democracy camp.

Throughout the semi-autonomous region, long queues had formed very early around polling stations.

Normally, these elections to choose the 452 members of 18 district councils who are competent in matters of everyday life such as garbage collection do not raise enthusiasm.

But the time is no longer normal in a territory that is experiencing its most serious political crisis since returning to the fold of Beijing in 1997, with demonstrations and actions increasingly violent to demand including democratic reforms.