Hong Kong – December 7, 2025 – Voting began across Hong Kong at 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday as the city held its eighth-term Legislative Council election just eleven days after suffering the most devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that claimed 159 lives and left thousands homeless. Long queues formed outside hundreds of polling stations well before sunrise, with many residents determined to exercise their civic duty despite the atmosphere of collective grief.
More than 600 polling stations opened to serve approximately 4.13 million registered voters, with voting scheduled to continue until 11:30 p.m. The newly elected 90-member Legislative Council will take office on January 1, 2026, for a four-year term.
Under the electoral system reformed in 2021 to ensure only “patriots” can run, the 90 seats are divided as follows: 40 chosen by the 1,500-member Election Committee, 30 returned by functional constituencies representing various professional and business sectors, and only 20 directly elected from geographical constituencies. A total of 161 vetted candidates are contesting the seats, with many newcomers replacing retiring veteran lawmakers.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu cast his ballot shortly after polls opened at Raimondi College on Hong Kong Island. Speaking to reporters afterward, he urged every eligible voter to participate, saying each vote represents a step toward reform, unity, and rebuilding after the recent tragedy. He emphasized that the election would proceed as planned despite earlier speculation about possible postponement in light of the fire disaster.
The blaze that erupted on the afternoon of November 26 at Wang Fuk Court, a 1980s public housing estate in Tai Po, quickly became the deadliest structural fire in Hong Kong’s modern history. Flames rapidly spread across seven of the estate’s eight high-rise blocks, fueled by highly combustible bamboo scaffolding, plastic safety netting, and polystyrene insulation boards used in an ongoing renovation project. The fire burned uncontrollably for 43 hours, requiring more than a thousand firefighters and reaching the highest five-alarm level.
By the time the flames were finally extinguished, 159 people had lost their lives, including infants, elderly residents, and one firefighter. Dozens more were seriously injured, many with severe burns and smoke inhalation. Forensic teams continue to recover and identify remains from the blackened staircases and rooftops. More than 1,900 apartments were destroyed or severely damaged, displacing over 4,900 residents, many of whom are now living in temporary shelters, former quarantine facilities, or scattered public housing units far from their original communities.
Survivors described terrifying scenes of smoke-filled corridors, non-functioning fire alarms that had reportedly been disabled during renovation work, and desperate escapes down emergency staircases or from balconies. Migrant domestic workers, who often live with employer families in such estates, were disproportionately affected, with several confirmed fatalities and many still missing.
In the aftermath, anger has grown over apparent lapses in renovation oversight and fire-safety enforcement. Residents had repeatedly raised concerns about blocked escape routes and flammable materials, yet official risk assessments had previously rated the hazards as low. Contractors and consultants involved in the HK$330 million renovation project now face criminal investigations for possible manslaughter, use of substandard materials, and falsifying safety records. A number of arrests have already been made, and Chief Executive Lee has appointed an independent judicial inquiry to establish full accountability and recommend urgent reforms to building and fire codes.
Despite the immense trauma, authorities insisted the election timetable remain unchanged, arguing that democratic participation would help channel public grief into collective strength and determination to rebuild safer communities. Campaigning was briefly suspended immediately after the fire, but candidates later resumed activities with many focusing their platforms on housing safety, disaster preparedness, and support for affected families.
Special arrangements were made for voters directly impacted by the fire. Residents of Wang Fuk Court and nearby estates were redirected to alternative polling stations, and extended assistance was provided to elderly and disabled voters displaced to temporary accommodation.
As the day progressed, polling stations reported steady turnout, with some districts seeing longer-than-expected lines. Employers were encouraged to grant paid leave for voting, and various community groups organized transport for elderly residents. Officials expressed hope that participation would exceed the record-low 30.2 percent turnout seen in the previous “patriots-only” election in 2021.
For many voters like 72-year-old Mrs. Chan, who lost neighbors in the Wang Fuk Court blaze, casting a ballot carried special meaning. “We are still mourning, but life must go on,” she said outside a polling station in Tai Po. “I voted for someone who promises to make our buildings safer so no family never has to go through this again.”
As Hong Kong counts its votes overnight, the incoming legislature will immediately face the task of passing emergency relief measures for fire victims, overhauling renovation and fire-safety regulations, and restoring public confidence in the safety of the city’s aging public housing stock.
The election, held under extraordinary circumstances, underscores both the resilience of Hong Kong’s people and the profound challenges the city must now confront in the wake of its worst peacetime disaster in living memory.
