There has been a record turnout for elections that have taken on symbolic importance in Hong Kong following months of protest.
Over 40% of the district’s 4.1 million registered voters had turned out to vote by 2:30pm local time.
That is more than the total number of votes cast in 2015 elections with eight hours still to go.
They are voting for council positions that are largely advisory and hold little power however, the poll is seen by many as a barometer of support for pro-democracy protests.
There 452 seats in the city's 18 district councils up for grabs with a swing towards opposition parties expected to increase the pressure on Beijing.
Demonstrations have been scaled back in recent days with protesters anxious to ensure the vote went ahead amid Chinese government threats to call it off.
