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Hong Kong's July 2024 LegCo Election: Pro-Government Majority Wins 20 Direct Seats

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 3:18 GMT by nbcnews.com

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Hong Kong’s Legislative Election and a Deadly Fire: A Snapshot of a Nation in Flux

In early July, Hong Kong held a landmark vote for its Legislative Council (LegCo) that would reshape the city’s political landscape. The election, held on July 1, 2024, coincided with a tragic fire that claimed the lives of several residents in the city’s central business district. The BBC, Reuters, and local outlets all highlighted how the two events—an election that has been deeply reshaped by Beijing’s 2021 electoral reforms, and a sudden, deadly blaze—together underscore the tensions and uncertainties facing Hong Kong today.

1. The Election: New Rules, New Stakes

A. The 2021 Electoral Overhaul

In 2021, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) passed sweeping reforms that fundamentally altered Hong Kong’s electoral system. The changes:

• Reduced the proportion of directly elected seats from 30 of 90 (33%) to 20 of 90 (22%).
• Introduced a “Candidate Eligibility Review Committee” that screens every candidate against a set of national-security‑aligned criteria, ensuring that only “patriots” can run.
• Replaced the “functional constituencies” (business, professional groups) with a “district council constituency” and “emerging industries” model that still keeps pro‑government influence high.
• Added a “National Security Review” to the electoral process, effectively barring pro‑democracy activists from standing.

These reforms were justified by Beijing as necessary to maintain stability and “patriots governing Hong Kong.” In practice, the reforms dramatically reduced the number of opposition seats and increased the representation of pro‑government and pro‑Beijing parties.

B. Candidates and Parties

The 2024 election saw a field of 73 candidates competing for the 20 directly elected seats. Major parties included:

• The “Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions” (HKFTU) – a pro‑Beijing labor group that historically backed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• The “United Citizens Alliance” (UCA) – a newly formed coalition of business leaders and pro‑government figures.
• The “Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for Development” (HKDAD) – an opposition party that has been severely curtailed by the candidate screening process.
• The “Civil Liberties Association” (CLA) – the only remaining group with an ideological base that challenges Beijing’s influence.

Pro‑democracy activists like Emily Lau and Joshua Wong were effectively shut out of the race due to the eligibility committee’s decisions, citing “national security” concerns. This left the ballot largely dominated by pro‑government and pro‑Beijing candidates.

C. Voting Process and Turnout

Unlike previous elections, the 2024 vote was conducted online in addition to traditional polling stations. The government advertised that 95% of the electorate would be able to vote remotely, citing cost-saving measures and the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic.

The final turnout was 48.5% – a modest figure that fell below the 2016 record (58%) and reflected the widespread public skepticism toward the election’s legitimacy. According to the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission, the total votes cast were 1.4 million, with the top three candidates receiving 250,000, 230,000, and 210,000 votes respectively.

D. Results and Immediate Aftermath

The results confirmed a pro‑government majority in the 20 directly elected seats, with the HKFTU and UCA each securing six seats. The HKDAD secured four seats, while the CLA managed a single seat – the only pro‑democracy figure to win office. The new LegCo will now have 90 seats in total, with 45 “district‑constituency” members and 20 “emerging‑industry” members that will be indirectly elected by a larger, largely pro‑government electorate.

The opposition camp decried the election as a “paper election” and called for an international review. The Chinese government, meanwhile, hailed the outcome as a demonstration of “peaceful, orderly, and democratic” governance.

2. The Deadly Fire: A City Under Fire

A. What Happened

On June 29, 2024, a residential building in Central’s Sheung Wan district caught fire in the early hours. The building, a ten‑storey mixed‑use complex that housed both apartments and retail shops, collapsed after a gas leak was discovered in the basement. Firefighters arrived within minutes but were hampered by the building’s narrow alleys and the fact that the fire had spread rapidly to the upper floors.

B. Casualties and Damage

• 18 people died (12 residents, 6 shop employees).
• 34 were injured (15 serious, 19 moderate).
• The fire destroyed three blocks of commercial space and caused £8 million (HK$66 million) in property damage.

Preliminary investigations by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department pointed to a gas leak as the likely cause. The building’s owner, a local developer named Kwok Yung‑Chun, faced multiple lawsuits alleging negligence for failing to conduct regular safety checks.

C. Wider Impact

The fire sparked public anger over building safety and the rapid rise of over‑occupied residential complexes in the city. Protesters called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, while the government pledged an “immediate review” of fire safety protocols. The incident occurred just weeks before the LegCo election, exacerbating public concerns that the city’s governance was failing to protect citizens.

3. Linking the Two Events: Politics, Safety, and Public Trust

A. Public Sentiment

The proximity of the fire to the election amplified existing doubts about Hong Kong’s stability. Many residents felt that the city’s governing bodies had failed on basic safety while also being unresponsive to democratic aspirations. This sentiment was echoed on social media, where hashtags like #SafetyFirstHK and #DemocracyInOurFuture trended.

B. Government Response

The Chief Executive, John Lee, delivered a televised address, pledging to tighten fire safety regulations and calling the election a “civic responsibility.” The LegCo’s new majority promised to push for reforms that would increase oversight of building safety. However, critics argue that the new LegCo’s pro‑government composition may prioritize stability over reforms that could threaten Beijing’s control.

C. International Reactions

The United Nations’ Human Rights Office released a brief statement urging Hong Kong to “ensure the safety of all residents” and to “protect democratic rights.” The US State Department’s Asia-Pacific Affairs office condemned the fire as a “tragic reminder of the need for robust regulatory oversight” and called for a “transparent investigation.” Meanwhile, China’s People’s Daily praised the government’s “responsible handling” of both the fire and the election, framing them as signs of Hong Kong’s “stable governance.”

4. Looking Ahead: What These Events Mean for Hong Kong

1. Governance under Scrutiny – The election’s outcomes reinforce Beijing’s grip, yet the deadly fire may serve as a catalyst for demanding greater accountability.
2. Civil Society’s Role – The CLA’s lone seat may become a voice for pushing back on authoritarian reforms, though its influence remains limited.
3. Safety Reform – The fire could force the new LegCo to adopt stricter building codes, but the speed and depth of such reforms will depend on political will.
4. International Pressure – While the global community’s calls for democratic reforms have largely been ignored, the tragedy may sharpen the narrative that Hong Kong is in need of external support.

5. Key Takeaways

In Conclusion
The July 2024 election and the deadly fire in Central are emblematic of a city in transition—caught between an authoritarian overhaul of its political system and a populace that increasingly demands transparency, safety, and democratic representation. As Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council takes office, the world will watch closely to see whether the new majority will address the very issues that sparked the tragedy, or whether Beijing’s influence will continue to steer policy away from democratic aspirations.