Elections are the lifeblood of democracy. They represent an awesome empowerment — the right of citizens to peacefully overthrow their government and choose another.

The prime minister called an election. He submitted his government to the judgment of the people. The election was held. The people expressed its will. A new government was formed in accordance with it.

This is democracy, the democratic ideal in action. It is what masses of brave and determined protesters in Hong Kong risked life, limb and freedom to obtain from their undemocratic government — one that tenaciously, sometimes violently, denies that ideal.