An all-out effort

It'll be a vote for peace and order in Hong Kong, and for someone who really cares about the welfare of the neighborhood and the community at large — that's how a wide sector of the registered electors in Hong Kong's 2019 district council election summed up as they turned up in record numbers to cast their ballots in Sunday's crucial polls.

Casey Tong, a 22-year-old first-time voter in Tin Wan, Hong Kong Island, hopes that whoever gets elected, his or her top priority should be to look after the needs of residents, young and old, and have a heart for the constituents.

For a retiree surnamed Lai, what she wants is to have district councilors who could bring real benefits to a community roiled by almost six months of violence.

"Rebuilding society is no easy task. I think it's most important for us to unite and tide over this crisis. We must vote for those who really love Hong Kong."

Rose, a voter and resident of Indian descent who has lived in Hong Kong for eight years, said it's imperative for Hong Kong to elect people who could help restore peace in society and win the public's trust.

Another resident, 40-year-old Briton Peter Bentley, said after casting his ballot in Wan Chai that he had voted for a candidate who has maintained a good relationship with the neighborhood and has a record of more than 12 years serving the community.

Shocked by the rampant street violence in the past few months, he urged all voters to back those who firmly reject violence. He vowed never to vote for opposition politicians again given their "disgusting" association with the radical protesters.

"They're against almost everything related to the mainland. These so-called 'pan-democrats' are actually blocking (the progress) of democracy," he said while denouncing the "disappointing" behavior of the opposition camp in the past few months.