Votes also high for the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong in areas where pro-China groups are well funded

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement has taken a narrow lead in the legislative elections which took place against a backdrop of rising concern about China's influence over the former British colony.

But while the pro-democracy candidates have a slight majority so far in the directly elected seats, in districts where pro-China groups have set up well-funded, extensive neighbourhood networks, votes for the Beijing-backed Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) have been high.

The first district to announce results, Kowloon West, a sprawling and diverse electorate, saw a high vote for the DAB alongside victory for more pan-democrats, including the feisty journalist Claudia Mo of the Civic Party.

Some big names from the pan-democratic camp have yet to hear their fate.

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Albert Ho Chun-yan, was not hopeful: "My situation has been worsening. This is beyond my expectations," he said of what he called the most competitive elections yet.

Even before hearing about his won bid for a seat, he announced his resignation as party leader following what he called his party's "serious failure" to garner more votes.

He had lead his party into a compromise with the government over constitutional reforms during the last legislature's term, a move which has spurred support for the more radical People Power Party whose Wong Yuk-man has kept his seat.

While the pan-democratic camp has suffered from its internal divisions, so has the pro-China establishment. Close behind the DAB has been the Federation of Trade Unions, members of which have suggested their poorer than expected showing could be traced back to competition with its allies.

Leader of the pro-business Liberal Party, Miriam Lau Kin-yee, has lost her seat and is resigning her leadership role, mirroring her predecessors at previous elections.

More people voted than ever before, but the 53% turnout was less than the 55% of the 2004 elections when the pool of registered voters was smaller, which also took place amid strong feelings about China's role in the free-wheeling territory.

Counting is continuing, particularly for five new "super-seats", for which people could vote across geographical lines.

Hong Kong's legislature has 70 seats, 40 of which can be voted for directly in geographical constitutencies, with the balance made up of what are called functional constituencies in which, for example, approved doctors' groups can vote for a medical sector representative, or bankers choose a banking representative.

This system guarantees a pro-government majority as the pan-democrats face well-financed and organised opposition in the free seats from the pro-China group, and most functional seats go to establishment figures.

The pan-democrats have now secured the one third of all seats they desire in order to exercise a veto over future legislation which must, during the next four years, include measure to implement China's vision of constitutional change.