Hong Kong holds legislative polls

Residents of Hong Kong have been voting in an election expected to favour supporters of the Chinese government.

Analysts say a surge in nationalism following the Olympic Games has weakened the pro-democracy camp.

Turnout is reported to have been low in the Chinese-administered but autonomous territory, which could also boost the pro-Beijing candidates.

Only half the 60 seats in the legislature are currently in play, with the rest filled by interest groups.

But correspondents say Hong Kong's election process remains by far the most open anywhere in China.

China has promised the region some form of universal suffrage by 2017.

The democratic camp won most votes last time around, but China has blunted its appeal by offering this promise of future democracy.

The deep unpopularity of the administration of chief executive Donald Tsang after a string of recent blunders is unlikely to have a major impact.

Limited franchise

As democratic candidates discovered four years ago, winning a majority of the votes cast was not enough to gain control of the legislative chamber.

In this limited franchise, it gave them just 25 of the 30 seats available in the freely-elected half of the council, with 30 other seats chosen by interest groups.

These "functional constituencies" include groups of as few as 144 voters, and are defined by professional allegiance, such as the financial sector, tourism and education.

This year, 14 of the 30 functional constituency seats are uncontested, leaving a total of 46 seats available.

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Hong Kong's Legislative Council
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