Localists top Hong Kong pro-democracy polls

Localist candidates who took part in Hong Kong's unofficial pro-democracy primary election over the weekend said the results reflected the territiory's "unity" on China's controversial National Security Law.

The poll, which was held on July 11-12, was held to whittle the pro-democracy camp’s candidates to field a unified slate in a legislative election in September in hopes of achieving a “35-plus” majority in the 70-seat legislature.

Candidates who topped the polls were in their 40s or younger in every constituency and included prominent pro-democracy activists.

Speaking in a news conference on Wednesday, activist and candidate Joshua Wong said the election was an opportunity for voters to be "heard in the global community."

Hundreds of thousands of people voted in the election despite warnings it could violate Hong Kong's new law imposed by Beijing.

The sweeping law enacted on June 30 in response to last year's often violent protests calling for greater democracy and police accountability outlaws secessionist, subversive and terrorist activities, as well as collusion with foreign forces to intervene in the city's affairs.

The maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment.