In the wake of the revamp of the electoral system, the first district council election under the new system was conducted this past Sunday in a rational, harmonious and orderly manner, taking a significant step in district governance.

About 1.193 million voters cast their votes in the geographical constituencies. The community at large is optimistic about the performance of the new district councils, expecting the newly elected district councilors, many of whom are young professionals, to excel in local affairs, alleviate people’s hardships, uphold community stability, and kickstart a fresh era of district governance.

This election is a testament to Hong Kong’s journey from unrest to revitalization, and is expected to strengthen public awareness of, and identification with, the “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle, despite attempts by malign forces to encourage a boycott and disrupt the election process.

Many voters showed considerable enthusiasm, heading to the polls to cast their vote. They were not deterred by the technical glitch with the computer system that caused delays in the evening. The relevant government departments deserve credit for promptly implementing backup plans, and switching to paper ballots. The positive spirit of voting was not dampened; many voters were even willing to wait in the rain until the polling stations were back online, reflecting the value they placed on electing the candidate of their choice.

The recent district council election has not only opened a new chapter in Hong Kong’s local governance but also restored faith in a system that prioritizes the well-being of its residents

Looking back at the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election, it was a low point in Hong Kong’s democratic history. During the peak of the 2019-20 violent unrest, anti-China disruptors who managed to secure a seat in the 2019 election not only destroyed order inside the district councils but also prioritized their political agenda over community affairs.

Some even advocated for “Hong Kong independence” and “mutual destruction”, neglecting livelihood issues and harming both Hong Kong’s interests and posing a threat to national security, betraying the original purpose of district councils.

These political agitators turned the district councils into a battleground for political struggle, severely hindering the ability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to grasp public sentiment and serve the residents’ needs.

Article 97 of the Basic Law stipulates that the HKSAR can establish district organizations that are not organs of power, to be consulted by the government on district affairs and to provide services in culture, recreation and environmental hygiene.

For some time, the district councils had deviated from their intended role. The electoral overhaul has plugged the loopholes in the electoral system, ensuring the faithful implementation of the “patriots administering Hong Kong” precept in accordance with the Basic Law, and facilitating the district councils’ return to their original role.

In this election, Hong Kong’s 18 districts were divided into 44 constituencies, electing 88 district councilors through a “double-seat, single-vote” system. This time, the direct election saw “competition in every district” with an average of four candidates vying for two seats. Notably, there were no personal attacks or incidents of mudslinging; candidates conducted themselves with dignity, embodying a new culture of healthy competition. In a depoliticized environment, candidates focused on livelihood issues, demonstrating their abilities and quality, and vigorously campaigned with pragmatic livelihood agendas.

In conclusion, the recent district council election has not only opened a new chapter in Hong Kong’s local governance but also restored faith in a system that prioritizes the well-being of its residents.

This is a moment that stands to redefine the future of local governance, setting a precedent for service-oriented leadership that could very well echo across other facets of public administration. As these new councilors take their seats, there is strong expectation for positive changes in their districts, proving that with the right reforms, the spirit of democracy can align with the principles of patriotism and pragmatism harmoniously.

The author is the convener at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.