Hong Kong is holding a general election Sunday for its legislature, days after the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades stoked a level of public anger not seen since major street protests about six years ago.

The city’s 4 million eligible voters will choose 90 Legislative Council members from 161 government-vetted candidates, who will serve four-year terms.

A key factor to watch is whether turnout will be low in a show of discontent over the lineup of almost exclusively pro-establishment candidates — the result of Beijing’s overhaul in 2021 that effectively removed the opposition. Turnout fell to a record 30.2% in the 2021 LegCo race, when many voters boycotted a system seen as rewarding loyalty to China’s Communist Party.

After turnout numbers dropped even more to 27.5% in separate local council elections in 2023, authorities are now offering incentives ranging from retail discounts to free swimming pool access to get people out to polling stations.

Chief Executive John Lee, who pledged to launch an independent committee over the fire that tore through a high-rise estate and killed at least 159 people, said he decided to proceed with the vote as scheduled to “safeguard social stability.”

The city observed three days of mourning and suspended election campaigns after the blaze broke out on Nov. 26, drawing international headlines and prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping to order officials to prioritize rescue efforts.

“The whole city is still so sad that there is no use predicting the results and turnout,” said Emily Lau, former chair of the Democratic Party and an ex-legislator of 25 years, who agreed the election should continue. “People will justify the turnout in their own way, and we all know the truth inside.”

Hong Kong’s election chief on Saturday urged the public to go out and vote, saying it was in the city’s interest to elect lawmakers who would be able to drive reforms to prevent disasters like the fire at Wang Fuk Court.

Appearing on broadcaster RTHK on Saturday, Electoral Affairs Commission head David Lok said voters should “approach their civic responsibilities with more seriousness” at such a difficult time and get out and cast their ballots.

Opposition in the city remains virtually nonexistent following the imposition of the national security law. Several political heavyweights, including Executive Council Convener Regina Ip and Legislative Council President Andrew Leung, declined to seek reelection, citing old age. Some outspoken younger incumbents also did not run.

John Burns, professor emeritus at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Politics and Public Administration, said in a written interview that the fire would likely dampen turnout.

“Low turnout could reflect Hong Kong’s current public sentiment,” he said, adding that this includes shock, disappointment and even anger that is focused elsewhere and not on the election.

In attempts to boost participation, voting hours have been extended to 16 hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., while 37 additional polling stations have been set up for designated groups, including civil servants, health care staff, elderly home residents, and voters near the Chinese border. Major corporations have pledged days off for staff who provide proof of voting.

The government increased the election budget by 52% to HK$1.28 billion ($164 million), from HK$841 million in 2021. The rise reflects higher spending on publicity, IT support, venue rentals and staff remuneration, according to an official document. The surge has drawn little public scrutiny, with incumbents focused on campaigning and outgoing lawmakers less inclined to ask hard questions, Lau said.

“It will be even harder to estimate how well the upcoming class of lawmakers will perform,” she said. “Most of them only look upon Beijing and wait for directions. They don’t even have the freedom to speak their own mind.”

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(With assistance from Julia Fioretti.)

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