Pro-Beijing candidates have swept almost all the seats in Hong Kong's district council elections. The turnout in Sunday's polls was a record low of 27.5 percent as pro-democracy parties were unable to field any candidates after a change in the election system.

Vote counting was over by Monday morning for the 88 directly elected seats in the 18 district councils.

The turnout plummeted from the record high of 71.2 percent in the last elections in 2019 and was the lowest since Hong Kong was returned from Britain to China in 1997.

The district elections were once said to accurately reflect the views of Hong Kong voters. In the 2019 elections, the pro-democracy camp swept to a landslide victory.

In July, Hong Kong's electoral system was revamped in favor of pro-Beijing candidates. Those wishing to run are now required to obtain a certain number of nominations from members of government-appointed committees.

No pro-democracy candidates were able to stand in the elections, apparently leading many voters who support the camp to abstain.

The district councils have a total of 470 seats. The remaining seats are to be filled by Hong Kong government-appointed members and other members chosen by pre-selected electors.