Hong Kong is holding its Legislative Council election today, December 7, 2025, offering citizens a 16-hour window to cast their ballots—two hours longer than the previous cycle. Six hundred and fifteen ordinary polling stations are operating from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., while special arrangements have been implemented for high-profile figures and vulnerable populations. Early voter turnout figures indicate a slight increase in engagement compared to the last election, though the total number of ballots cast lags.
Electoral Logistics and Early Turnout Metrics
The 2025 Legislative Council election features key logistical modifications aimed at accommodating a diverse electorate. Beyond the extended voting period, dedicated special polling stations have been established to facilitate voting for essential workers, including civil servants and healthcare professionals, as well as residents in care homes. This move addresses feedback from past elections regarding accessibility for these groups.
However, localized disruptions have necessitated last-minute adjustments. Following a recent incident, three polling stations in the Tai Po district were relocated. Affected electors, notably residents of Wang Fuk Court, are now casting votes at reassigned venues, highlighting the swift operational adaptations required during the electoral process.
By the early afternoon—eight hours into the 16-hour voting day—turnout metrics from the geographical constituencies revealed key insights. The participation rate had reached 19.57%, marking a modest 0.8 percentage point increase over the turnout recorded at the same time during the previous election.
Despite the positive percentage increase, the overall volume of ballots cast still trails the last cycle. A cumulative total of 808,490 votes were recorded by 3:30 p.m., which is over 31,000 fewer ballots than were tallied at the equivalent halfway mark in the last electoral contest.
Business Leaders Participate in Voting
The election day saw high-profile participation from key figures in Hong Kong’s financial and business sectors. Leaders from the city’s four major property developers confirmed they had cast their ballots.
Among them was Victor Li, Chairman of the CK Hutchison conglomerate. Li arrived at his polling station in good spirits, expressing optimism about the day’s outcome. Speaking briefly to reporters, he stated that he “hoped the election would be a success,” underscoring the importance of political stability to the business community.
The election results from geographical and functional constituencies are anticipated to be crucial in shaping the city’s policy landscape for the coming term. The extended voting day suggests authorities prioritized maximizing voter participation, but the final impact of the prolonged session on overall turnout remains to be determined as polling stations remain open until late evening. Media outlets, including Hong Kong 01, are providing real-time operational updates as the process unfolds.