More than 175,200 residents voted to choose 14 members of the city's 33-seat legislature, with the remaining spots filled by sector-based indirect elections or by official appointment.

Officials said it was the highest number of votes cast in a legislative election since the casino hub reverted to Chinese rule in 1999.

But the voter turnout on Sunday was just 53 percent of over 328,000 registered voters, ranking fifth out of the seven elections held post-handover.

The Chinese casino hub -- with a population just shy of 700,000 -- amended its election laws in 2024 to ensure only "patriots" will administer Macau, giving national security officials the final say on candidates' eligibility.

Officials in July barred 12 election hopefuls from participating on the grounds that they did not uphold Macau's mini-constitution or pledge allegiance to the city.

Authorities also arrested ex-legislator Au Kam-san for alleged foreign collusion that month -- the first known use of the city's national security law.

City leader Sam Hou-fai led efforts to boost turnout, including making public buses and trains free for the day.

An AFP reporter saw shuttle buses operated by casinos -- some of the city's largest employers -- ferrying workers to polling stations.

Un, a 60-year-old voter who declined to give his full name, said this year's election atmosphere felt different.

"The queues weren't as long this year, but the turnout wasn't as low as I expected," he said after voting.

Only six candidate lists were offered on the direction election ballot, the fewest since the handover.

A 38-year-old clerk who declined to give his name said he did not register to vote.

"Even if I had a voter card, I wouldn't particularly want to vote. There's no real politics in Macau anymore," he told AFP.

"(Politics involves) public discussion, opposing voices, at least some dissenting opinions... but now there are none."