Macau’s first ‘patriots’ election sees low turnout

MACAU – Macau’s first “patriots only” legislative polls on Sept 14 saw one of the worst turnout rates in recent years, preliminary results showed, after the authorities disqualified a dozen candidates and arrested a former opposition lawmaker.

The Chinese casino hub – with a population just shy of 700,000 – amended its election laws in 2024, giving national security officials the final say on candidates’ eligibility.

More than 175,200 residents voted to choose 14 members of the city’s 33-seat legislature, with the remaining spots filled by sector-based indirect polls or official appointments.

Officials said it was the highest number of votes cast in a legislative election since Macau reverted to Chinese rule in 1999.

But turnout was just 53 per cent of the more than 328,000 registered voters, putting this vote fifth out of seven polls held post-handover in terms of participation.

Political scientist Eric Sautede told AFP that the Sept 14 turnout was a “perfect illustration of the expression ‘voting with one’s feet’”.

Election chiefs told a press conference that they had no comment when asked about the record number of blank and invalid ballots cast – 5,987 and 7,077 respectively.

The election strictly adhered to the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Macau”, city leader Sam Hou Fai said in a Sept 15 statement.

‘No real politics’

Macau, which has its own legal system largely based on Portuguese law, enacted national security legislation in 2009 and widened its powers in 2023.

Officials in July barred 12 election hopefuls from participating on grounds that they did not uphold Macau’s mini-Constitution or pledge allegiance to the city.

That same month, the authorities arrested former legislator Au Kam San for alleged foreign collusion – the first known use of the city’s national security law.

Mr Sam led efforts to boost turnout, including making public buses and trains free for the day.

An AFP reporter saw shuttle buses operated by casinos – some of the city’s largest employers – ferrying workers to polling stations.

“The queues weren’t as long this year,” said Mr Un, a 60-year-old voter who declined to give his full name, after casting his ballot.

Only six candidate lists were offered on the direct election ballot, the fewest since the handover.

A 38-year-old clerk, who declined to give his name, said he did not register to vote.

“Even if I had a voter card, I wouldn’t particularly want to vote. There’s no real politics in Macau any more,” he said.

“(Politics involves) public discussion, opposing voices, at least some dissenting opinions... but now there are none.”

Mr Eilo Yu, a former professor of government at the University of Macau, told AFP that despite the high number of invalid votes, the turnout figures were “acceptable” to Beijing.

The disqualifications in July “represent Beijing’s attempt to suppress dissenting voices within the legislature”, he said, adding that he expected lawmakers to become mere rubber-stampers.

“Voters in Macau currently retain some choice. But I believe the trend is towards progressively narrowing that space,” he said. AFP