District council elections will be held in Hong Kong on Sunday. Pro-Beijing candidates are expected to monopolize the contested seats under an electoral system recently revamped in their favor.

The District Council Ordinary Election is held every four years to select candidates for 470 seats in Hong Kong's 18 district councils.

The poll was once known for most accurately reflecting the opinions of Hong Kong voters.

When the previous elections were held in 2019, large-scale protests were staged, and the pro-democracy camp swept to a landslide victory by winning more than 80 percent of the seats elected by popular vote.

However, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the region's electoral system was revamped in favor of pro-Beijing candidates, under Xi's policy of ensuring that Hong Kong is governed by "patriots".

The rate of popularly-elected seats was reduced from the previous more than 90 percent to less than 20 percent of the overall seats at stake.

The other 80 some percent is to be appointed by the central government.

Hong Kong's major pro-democracy parties were unable to field any candidates as they could not obtain nominations from members of government-appointed committees as required by the revised electoral system.

Voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Ballots will be counted immediately after polling stations close.