This was the first election since the 2014 student-led “Umbrella Revolution” in which thousands of demonstrators brought the city’s financial center to a standstill.
Advertisement
Numerous newcomers back independence for Hong Kong, a once-unthinkable idea that has become widely debated and which has added to divisions with the broader pro-democracy movement.
Hong Kong does not permit postal voting or early voting.
Despite the gains, China’s supporters will continue to hold the majority of seats on the council.
Pro-independence candidates have so far dominated the landmark election, the results of which isn’t expected until later today, after several hours of delay due to an unprecedented turnout.
The record turnout of 2.2 million people, or 58 per cent of the 3.7 million eligible voters, who cast their ballots showed Hong Kongers were more anxious about their future.
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly railed against the concept of independence as unconstitutional.
At least six young candidates who support self-determination for Hong Kong won seats.
The Legislative Council – or the LegCo – election were the biggest polls held after the 2014’s mass protests calling for greater autonomy from China.
He said Hong Kong has faced an uptick in “political censorship” and the “suppression or interference with autonomy” since the 2014 protests.
“Young people have a sense of urgency when it comes to the future”, he added.
Law is a member of the Demosistō Party, which was set up by student leaders of the protest.
Two candidates from the Youngspiration party, a more vocally pro-independence movement which also has its roots in the Umbrella Protests, were also on course to be elected.
“This shows that Hong Kong people want changes, it shows that Hong Kong people want to resist”, said Leung. With an unprecedented number of over 2.2 million voters, including those who flew in from across the globe, polling stations were forced to remain open past the 10.30pm deadline, CNN reported. Under the “one country, two systems” model, Hong Kong is supposed to keep its capitalist economy and more democratic system until 2047, but the central Chinese government has been known to flex its muscles.
Much attention focused on a group of about 20 pro-democracy “localists” pushing a more radical, anti-China agenda, who could become a fledgling new force in the legislature.
Speaking to RFA’s Cantonese Service, newly elected lawmaker Baggio Leung, founder of the localist group Youngspiration, promised to uphold Hong Kong’s Basic Law according to “principles, but with no bottom line”.
“I hope to renew the democratic movement of Hong Kong”, Chu said.
Voters are choosing lawmakers to fill 35 seats in geographic constituencies.
Advertisement
With the pro-democracy camp split between those who back the idea of possible independence and those who are more wary of the once taboo notion, Law said he would seek to unify the different camps. “But even so Beijing and Hong Kong will be anxious about the results that how polarised Hong Kong society has become”, the Al Jazeera correspondent said.
