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| China-Japan-Koreas | |
| Few democrat gains in HK exit polls | |
| 2004-09-13 | |
The polls were marred by a delay of more than eight hours before results for a single seat were announced and when some polling stations ran out of ballot boxes. That prompted angry demands from democratic candidates for an explanation and a partial recount. In a major blow for pro-democracy forces, their candidates managed to win just 18 directly elected seats, little changed from 17 in the last election and well below expectations despite a record 55.6 percent voter turnout. Wary not to anger China's communist rulers, voters ensured a better-than-expected showing for the pro-Beijing camp, which took 12 of the 30 directly elected seats, up from just seven in the 2000 poll, the preliminary official results showed. Results for the other 30 seats, elected by small limited professional groups such as lawyers and doctors, had yet to be released but have traditionally been dominated by the China camp. "The message we got from voters in the past few weeks is that many want ... a stable, harmonious environment | |
| Posted by:Steve White |