The people of Hong Kong came out in their droves to vote in the latest District Councils election, a vital first step in what will be a long, hard road.

While the 18 District Councils in Hong Kong have limited public policy powers, they are important in to the city’s political landscape. Certain of the seats in the city’s Legislative Council, as well as the small-circle committee that selects Hong Kong’s leader, are reserved for District Councillors.

This year’s District Councils election has taken place against the backdrop of the nearly six months of protests and voter turnout was more than was over 70 per cent, a record high. Of the 452 seats that were up for grabs, the pro-democracy forces won 388 seats. The landslide result for pro-democracy candidates was an astonishing rebuff for pro-Beijing political forces, which tried to turn the election into a referendum on protester violence. It was a loud message of support from the public for the protest movement’s democratic aims.

The result sparked scenes of joy and celebration in Hong Kong, calls from the international community followed for Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to address voters’ concerns and the protest movement’s demands. However, these positive vibes may prove to be short lived.

First, the Hong Kong Government has responded to these overwhelming results by maintaining its refusal to accede to the public’s demands. Beijing has gone further in downplaying and undercutting the election results. This could very quickly lead to a loss of hope and a return by some Hong Kongers to violent protests.

Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Show all 24 1 /24 Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police in riot gear move through a cloud of smoke as they detain a protester at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester takes cover under an umbrella Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protestor reacts to police officers EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Pro-democracy protesters react after the police fired tear gas outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A pro-democracy protester holds a placard EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters react as police fire tear gas AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban An anti-government protester is silhouetted during protests Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Tear gas engulf umbrellas Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester lowers himself down a rope from a bridge to a highway, to escape AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban People form a human chain to pass materials as they gather for a march towards Hong Kong Polytechnic University AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters are seen after leaving the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Pro-democracy protesters during clashes with police outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police spray blue-dyed liquid AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters are sprayed with blue liquid from water cannon during clashes with police outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong, China, November 17, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu TYRONE SIU Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police officers detain a protester AP Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban An injured protester is evacuated by ambulance EPA Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Injured people are taken away after clashes Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester throws back a tear gas canister fired by police at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong on November 17, 2019. - Hong Kong police fired tear gas on November 17 morning at protesters intent on keeping their stranglehold on a major tunnel as pro-democracy activists vowed to "squeeze the economy" into next week. (Photo by Ye Aung Thu / AFP) (Photo by YE AUNG THU/AFP via Getty Images) YE AUNG THU AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Police arrest anti-government protesters Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protester's umbrella is seen on fire during clashes with police outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong, China November 17, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Medical staff carry a protester out of the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters try to extinguish a tear gas canister Reuters Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban Protesters take a rope down from a bridge to a highway, to escape from Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus AFP via Getty Hong Kong protests: Latest after court strikes down face mask ban A protestor gestures during a confrontation with police AP

Second, there have been media reports that Beijing had believed that there would be a “silent majority” against the protest movement. Historically, Beijing had not reacted well whenever it had been proved wrong on anything. Rather than heeding these election results, there may instead be moves to crackdown on Hong Kongers’ rights and freedoms.

Third, pro-Beijing forces had in fact registered gains in these elections, only to be overwhelmed by the unprecedented turnout of pro-democracy voters.The overall percentage voting split between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing forces remain roughly similar to previous Legislative Council election results. If the results on Sunday were repeated in next year’s Legislative Council election, in which only around half the seats are democratically elected through a proportional representation system, the pro-democracy camp will struggle to make electoral gains, let alone form a majority in the Legislative Council.

Fourth, for both legitimate (e.g. having older supporters) and more questionable (e.g. suspicions of voter registration manipulation) reasons, pro-Beijing groups have historically been better at holding on to its voter base compared with the pro-democracy movement. When the tide of emotions from recent months recede, there is a real risk that pro-Beijing forces can keep hold of their gains, while pro-democracy groups could lose support in next year’s Legislative Council elections and beyond.

Fifth, the pro-democracy groups have historically suffered from complacency whenever they have performed better than expected in past elections. Pro-Beijing forces had previously been adept at exploiting this by pouring their overwhelming money and manpower into local communities, and had often succeeded in more than regaining ground lost to pro-democracy candidates. Unless this lesson has been learnt history may well repeat itself.

Yes, victories are to be savoured. But for Hong Kongers, the joy felt over Sunday’s election results may be fleeting. The world must continue to stand with Hong Kongers in their quest to be heard.