Macao residents went to the polls on Sunday to choose members of the Legislative Assembly as Beijing tightened its control over the territory.



Macao's Legislative Assembly consists of 33 seats. Fourteen members are elected directly by the public.



The region amended its election laws last year, and pro-Beijing officials now determine the eligibility of candidates prior to elections.



A total of 12 candidates were disqualified on grounds that they did not pledge allegiance to the Macao government. Even the moderates elected in the previous election were not able to run this time.



Local media reports say 71 candidates competed for the 14 directly elected seats. That was reportedly the lowest number since Macao was returned to China from Portugal in 1999.



Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said after casting his vote that members of the Legislative Assembly must uphold the fundamental principle of "patriots governing Macao." Sam became chief executive last year and is the first from mainland China to take up the post.



Pro-democracy forces have had limited influence in Macao. But China is tightening its grip on the territory as it did in Hong Kong under the same "one country, two systems" framework.