Pro-democracy groups make big gains in Hong Kong elections

Hong Kong’s opposition pro-democracy movement has made unprecedented gains in the Chinese territory’s district council elections, early results show.

A record 4.1 million people had registered to vote – more than half the population.

And more than 2.9m people cast votes for the 452 seats available, a turnout of more than 71%, against 47% in 2015.

According to the figures, pro-democracy candidates have won 278 seats so far, and pro-Beijing candidates 42.

Despite fears the vote could be disrupted or cancelled over the unrest, it went ahead peacefully.

The election was seen as a test of support for the government after months of unrest, protests and clashes.

Hong Kong’s district councillors have little political power and mainly deal with local issues such as bus routes and rubbish collection, so the district elections don’t normally generate such interest.

But these polls were the first-time people could express at the ballot box their opinion on embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s handling of the crisis, which was sparked by a now withdrawn extradition law.

Via BBC