In an era of global economic headwinds and regional competition, elections are the cornerstone of accountability in our unique “One Country, Two Systems” framework. It is also interesting to note that voting, beyond being a civic obligation, can be analysed from an economic perspective. As shown by the work of Richard Nadeau, Michael Lewis-Beck, and Éric Bélanger (2012), the link between citizens’ economic perceptions and their voting decisions is among the most consistently validated findings in political science. Their work, though rooted in Western Europe, offers insights that resonate strongly with Hong Kong’s context as a leading international city facing both local and global pressures.

For Hong Kong, participation in elections is critical, it is the mechanism by which economic governance is tied to the will and welfare of the people. When Hong Kong citizens vote, they do more than select representatives; they evaluate government performance in managing crucial issues such as housing affordability, employment opportunities, and long-term competitiveness. In this light, voting becomes a channel for turning economic sentiments, whether optimism about recovery or concern over stagnation, into real, consequential political signals.

The empirical findings by Nadeau and colleagues remind us that voters’ economic outlooks are grounded in tangible realities: GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living. These are not abstract statistics; they are the daily experience of Hong Kong families and businesses. When confidence in the economy falters, whether due to property market volatility, global supply chain disruptions, or local policy uncertainty, citizens are more likely to seek change through the ballot box. This dynamic, observed across mature democracies, is equally relevant to Hong Kong as it strives to maintain its status as a global financial centre and a gateway to the Greater Bay Area.

Civic disengagement, apathy, abstention, or cynicism, poses a genuine risk to Hong Kong’s future. When voter participation wanes, the essential feedback loop between public policy and economic well-being is weakened. In such an environment, policy may drift toward the interests of a narrow few rather than the broader public. Conversely, robust voter turnout enhances the legitimacy of resource allocation, strengthens investor and market confidence, and sends a message of social stability, key preconditions for attracting local and international investment and sustaining innovation in Hong Kong’s evolving economy.

Voting, then, is both a symbolic affirmation of Hong Kong’s distinct identity and an economically meaningful act. While one vote may seem small, the collective action of many determines whether economic management remains responsive and accountable. Empirical evidence reminds us that political institutions and economic outcomes are deeply interlinked, especially in an open, globally integrated city like Hong Kong.

To abstain from voting is, in effect, to forfeit a say in the city’s economic priorities: the allocation of land and housing, the direction of education and innovation policy, and the blueprint for social safety nets. To vote is to participate directly in shaping how prosperity is defined and distributed in Hong Kong’s next chapter. Engaged citizens reinforce the principle that accountable governance, realized through the ballot, remains the most effective way to align policy with economic reality and collective aspirations.

As Hong Kong adapts to the challenges of technological transformation, demographic change, and shifting global dynamics, the imperative for informed and active participation is greater than ever. Hong Kong voters are not bystanders to economic change; we are contributors to the city’s resilience and success. Every vote in Hong Kong is both a statement of civic pride and a critical input into our shared economic future. Participation is not just a right; it is an investment in the prosperity and stability for generations to come.

By Dr. Bankee Kwan

Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Permanent Honorary President and Past President of Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations

Dr. Philip Wong

Deputy Director of STEAM Education and Research Centre, Lingnan University.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of Orange News.

Cover Photo: Information Services Department