HONG KONG – Democrats romped to a landslide and symbolic majority in district council elections here after residents turned out in record numbers on Sunday to vote, following six months of anti-government protests.
Democratic candidates across the city of 7.4-million people secured over half of the 452 district council seats for the first time against the opposition.
The voting ended with no major disruptions in a day.
Pro-democracy candidates secured a clear majority by 8 a.m. (midnight GMT Sunday) with 333 of 452 seats, compared with 52 for the pro-establishment camp, according to media estimates. Democrats only secured around 100 seats at the previous polls four years ago.
Almost 3-million people have voted – a record turnout of over 71 percent.
Hong Kong’s district councils control some spending and decide a range of livelihood issues such as transport.
They also serve as an important grassroots platform to radiate political influence in the Chinese-ruled city.(Reuters)
