Hong Kong ‘patriots’ election casts doubt over democracy as city enters new era

Critics describe Sunday's vote as illegitimate' as Beijing tightens its crackdown on dissent and pro-democracy movement is wiped out

Days before Hong Kong's legislative council election, 15 months after it was supposed to be held, former legislator Ted Hui is on the phone from Adelaide railing against the government. In the southern Australian city he is far from the Hong Kong warrants for his arrest and instead in a place where, unlike many of his former colleagues, he can speak freely.

For the Hong Kong people there are not many choices now but to accept illegitimate elections. The parliament is going to be a rubber stamp for Beijing and this election carries no democratic element at all."