Living in Hong Kong

With all these exit polls conducted during the election day, an idea of who would possibly win the race is revealed. As expected, there was a lower turnout in yesterday's election compared to the last one held in 2004. I would have been qualified to vote as a permanent resident had I registered, but I didn't even desired to vote on last overseas Philippine elections held in Admiralty, so the point is rather moot.

Most headlines showed that the low turnout will not benefit the pro-democracy camp and could quash their hopes to continue their aim of political reforms in the city. However, there could be surprising results. According to One News of New Zealand:

in the closely fought East New Territories district, veteran democratic lawmaker Emily Lau managed to retain her seat despite predictions to the contrary, while maverick activist lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung also won re-election.

For those unfamiliar yet, Leung Kwok-hung is the famous long-haired legislator who is happy to wear Che Guevara shirts instead of tuxedos and ties.

"I think the pan-democracy supporters did a marvellous job of using collective wisdom of vote division without really any kind of formidable, organised mechanism," said political scientist Ma Ngok with Chinese University.

Ma added the pro-business Liberal Party had fared poorly as the better mobilised pro-Beijing DAB party had taken votes way from them.

With Chief Executive Donald Tsang warning of "trying times" in the LegCo amidst global financial troubles that will surely affect Hong Kong, people expect shorter victory parties and for all winners to buckle up to work.