Hong Kong spent HK$1.13 billion on Legco poll, up by 35% over figure for 2021
Election spending jumps by HK$289 million, driven by tech, staff, and venue costs.
Hong Kong's government disclosed a significant 34.6% increase in spending for its 2025 Legislative Council election, with total costs reaching HK$1.13 billion (US$144.27 million). This represents a jump of approximately HK$289 million from the HK$841 million expended on the previous election in 2021. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau detailed the revised budget in a written response to lawmakers, attributing the sharp rise primarily to escalating expenses for information technology support, promotional campaigns, venue rentals, and staff salaries.
The breakdown of the HK$1.13 billion expenditure shows operational costs consumed the largest share at HK$680 million, covering polling station operations and venue rentals. Personnel expenses accounted for HK$300 million, funding the 34,000 civil servants recruited to assist in the December 7th poll to elect 90 lawmakers. A further HK$149 million was allocated to promotion and voter registration drives. This detailed financial accounting provides a clear view of the mounting fiscal demands of conducting comprehensive electoral exercises in a dense urban environment.
- Total election cost surged to HK$1.13B, a 34.6% increase from 2021's HK$841M.
- 34,000 civil servants were recruited to assist in the poll, driving personnel costs to HK$300M.
- Operational expenses for venues and IT support constituted the largest cost segment at HK$680M.
Why It Matters
Highlights the significant and growing public expenditure required to administer modern, large-scale democratic elections in major cities.