580,000 Hong Kongers cast ‘protest’ vote against new security laws – ZAWYA

580,000 Hong Kongers cast ‘protest’ vote against new security laws – ZAWYA

580,000 Hong Kongers cast 'protest' vote against new security laws | ZAWYA MENA Edition HomeEconomyGlobalArticle580,000 Hong Kongers cast 'protest' vote against new security laws Organisers say turnout around one-third of democratic voter base    Anti-national security law protesters march at the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain, in Hong Kong, China July 1, 2020.HONG KONG- Nearly 600,000 Hong Kong citizens cast ballots over the weekend in what the Chinese-ruled city's opposition camp said was a symbolic protest vote against a tough national security law directly imposed by Beijing.The unofficial poll will decide the strongest pro-democracy candidates to contest elections in September to Hong Kong's Legislative Council. Then, they aim to seize majority control for the first time from pro-Beijing rivals by riding a wave of anti-China sentiment stirred by the law, which critics say has gravely undermined Hong Kong's freedoms.While the primaries are only for the opposition camp, the level of participation is seen as a guide to popular opinion in the city of 7.5 million people, a major financial hub.The unofficial poll will decide the strongest pro-democracy candidates to contest elections in September to Hong Kong's Legislative Council. Then, they aim to seize majority control for