There has been high early turnout as voters surged to the polls for Hong Kong's district council elections.

Pro-democracy protest groups hope the vote will send a message to the Chinese government after five months of unrest.

Long queues formed outside polling stations amid fears that they might be closed by authorities if violence disrupted the vote.

The election is being seen as a test of support for Hong Kong's embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

In the run-up to the election, pro-democracy protest groups had urged people not to cause disruption. No trouble has been reported so far.

A record 4.1 million people have registered to vote - more than half the population of 7.4 million.

More than 400 councillors are due to be elected to Hong Kong's district council.

Pro-democracy campaigners hope they will be able to increase their representation on the council, which traditionally has some influence in choosing the city's chief executive.

Pro-Beijing candidates are urging voters to support them in order to express frustration at the upheaval caused by continuous clashes between protesters and police.

Source: bbc.com

BDST: 1303 HRS, NOV 24, 2019
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