Together, we vote for Hong Kong's better future

On Nov 26, a fatal fire ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, which claimed at least 159 lives with 31 people still missing. Faced with an exceptionally complex and urgent rescue and relief situation, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government responded with full commitment and operational efficiency. Relief and resettlement efforts were carried out in an orderly manner, striving to minimize the losses and suffering caused by the fire. After days of continuous and intense emergency efforts, the most perilous and demanding phase of the firefighting operation has ended. As post-disaster reconstruction begins, holding the Legislative Council (LegCo) election as scheduled on Sunday demonstrates the SAR government's commitment to governing according to law under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". It also reflects a clear resolve to remain focused on socioeconomic development as well as people's livelihoods, and, through a forward-looking vision, advance steady institutional reforms and long-term progress for the city. A constitutional obligation, not a discretionary choice Holding the Legislative Council election as scheduled is a constitutional responsibility that the SAR government must fulfill. Speaking to the media, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu stressed that the election date is statutory, governed by clearly defined procedures, and must proceed in accordance with legal requirements. Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, the Legislative Council must be formed through elections and serve a four-year term — a rigid constitutional requirement governing the institution's renewal. The Legislative Council Ordinance of Hong Kong SAR further stipulates that the polling date must be designated within the period of 60 to 15 days before the commencement of the new-term LegCo. Failure to return a new LegCo within the prescribed timeframe would constitute noncompliance with statutory obligations and effectively result in a "vacuum in legislative authority". Hong Kong, though, has experienced exceptions before: In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented global emergency situation, elections were postponed via extraordinary legal measures. But today's situation is fundamentally different. The fire, though tragic, has been contained, society is operating as usual, and essential services remain fully operational. The threshold for delaying an election, whether defined legally, politically, or practically, has not been met. Internationally, holding elections after disasters is common, provided voters can cast ballots safely and fairly. In 2024, a year described as a "global election super-cycle", at least 13 countries, including Austria, Canada, India, and Indonesia, conducted major national or local elections despite severe disruptions such as floods, wildfires, heatwaves and storms. In the same year, parts of the United States were devastated by Hurricane Helene, affecting more than a million residents in western North Carolina. Widespread flooding forced the closure of polling places and disrupted local infrastructure. Yet, instead of delaying the US presidential election process, authorities deployed temporary polling stations, expanded absentee voting, and redirected resources to ensure citizens, including the displaced residents, could still vote. The message was clear: elections can function as anchors of normality and continuity rather than luxuries that are postponed when hardship arises. Maintaining scheduled elections during hardship can reinforce public confidence by signaling that institutions remain stable, resilient, and accountable. Continuity enables recovery Beyond legality and symbolism, governance continuity is critical for relief and rebuilding. The Legislative Council is responsible for approving funding, evaluating regulatory reforms, authorizing emergency support, and overseeing public institutions. Post-disaster rebuilding — from housing reconstruction and safety legislation to social support for affected families — requires legislative authority and partnerships across government. As the chief executive, John Lee, has emphasized, relief and elections are not competing priorities; they are mutually reinforcing. Holding the vote on schedule ensures that legislators with the necessary expertise and public service commitment can assume office without delay and work alongside the government on three urgent fronts: reconstruction, community support, and systemic reform. In practice, post-fire recovery will require substantial public funding, amendments to building-safety legislation and accelerated urban renewal — all matters that must be reviewed and approved by the new LegCo's Finance Committee and Bills Committee. A postponement would create a governance gap at a critical moment, slowing the allocation of relief resources and delaying community rebuilding. Proceeding with the election is therefore not indifference to the tragedy; it...

Together, we vote for Hong Kong's better future

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Together, we vote for Hong Kong's better future

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