<p>China faced a grim scenario in Hong Kong as pro-democracy groups have made record gains in polls for Election Committee, which will elect the former British territory's next Chief Executive who unlike his predecessor may have to toe a balanced line to address growing anti-Beijing resentment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Amid a high turnout the pro-democracy group have won 362 of the 733 seats, although pro-Beijing groups will still have a big majority, official poll results said.<br /><br />Critics say the results show the undemocratic nature of the system as people in different sectors voted for representatives in the Committee instead of a direct election system. <br /><br />The Committee elects the Chief Executive who would be the chief administrator. <br /><br />Candidates running for chief executive have to be nominated by the 1,200-strong Election Committee - and need a majority of votes from the committee to win. The committee's members are made up of delegates from special interest groups.<br /><br />Analysts say despite the gains by pro-democracy groups, the pro-Beijing majority ensures the battle will be between figures favourable to the mainland government, BBC reported.<br /><br />The main contenders for the post are Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang who is regarded as a more moderate alternative to the outgoing leader Leung Chun-ying, who was accused of focussing more on protecting China’s interests fuelling discontent specially among the youth.<br /><br />Known as "Uncle Pringles" for a moustache similar to one worn by a character on a potato crisp brand's packaging, Tsang is a US-educated fencing and martial arts enthusiast who has been the finance minister since July 2007.<br /><br />The big wins by pan-democrats was seen as reflection of dissatisfaction with the current government, and the slow pace of democratic reforms.<br /><br />Lit Ming-wai, of Health Professionals For Democracy 30, said it was a big surprise for the pro-democracy group to win all 30 seats in the subsector.<br /><br />Only nine pan-democrats or allies won in the 2011 polls. "It reflects that the Election Committee poll is more than just an election, but is a fight to safeguard our core values," she told Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.<br /><br />"If chief executive aspirants want to take our votes, they must incorporate our calls for democratic political reform in their manifesto," she said.<br /><br />Camille Lam Tsz-kwan, of the group CoVision16, said victory by pan-democrats in the architectural subsector reflected its strong support for democracy. "The sector was not hotly contested before and the pro-establishment camp used to take the seats. But now we know there are actually a lot of pro-democracy voters in the field."<br /><br />In 2014, tens of thousands of people demonstrated for weeks to demand a one-man, one-vote election for chief executive, but they failed to win any concessions from Beijing.</p>
<p>China faced a grim scenario in Hong Kong as pro-democracy groups have made record gains in polls for Election Committee, which will elect the former British territory's next Chief Executive who unlike his predecessor may have to toe a balanced line to address growing anti-Beijing resentment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Amid a high turnout the pro-democracy group have won 362 of the 733 seats, although pro-Beijing groups will still have a big majority, official poll results said.<br /><br />Critics say the results show the undemocratic nature of the system as people in different sectors voted for representatives in the Committee instead of a direct election system. <br /><br />The Committee elects the Chief Executive who would be the chief administrator. <br /><br />Candidates running for chief executive have to be nominated by the 1,200-strong Election Committee - and need a majority of votes from the committee to win. The committee's members are made up of delegates from special interest groups.<br /><br />Analysts say despite the gains by pro-democracy groups, the pro-Beijing majority ensures the battle will be between figures favourable to the mainland government, BBC reported.<br /><br />The main contenders for the post are Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang who is regarded as a more moderate alternative to the outgoing leader Leung Chun-ying, who was accused of focussing more on protecting China’s interests fuelling discontent specially among the youth.<br /><br />Known as "Uncle Pringles" for a moustache similar to one worn by a character on a potato crisp brand's packaging, Tsang is a US-educated fencing and martial arts enthusiast who has been the finance minister since July 2007.<br /><br />The big wins by pan-democrats was seen as reflection of dissatisfaction with the current government, and the slow pace of democratic reforms.<br /><br />Lit Ming-wai, of Health Professionals For Democracy 30, said it was a big surprise for the pro-democracy group to win all 30 seats in the subsector.<br /><br />Only nine pan-democrats or allies won in the 2011 polls. "It reflects that the Election Committee poll is more than just an election, but is a fight to safeguard our core values," she told Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.<br /><br />"If chief executive aspirants want to take our votes, they must incorporate our calls for democratic political reform in their manifesto," she said.<br /><br />Camille Lam Tsz-kwan, of the group CoVision16, said victory by pan-democrats in the architectural subsector reflected its strong support for democracy. "The sector was not hotly contested before and the pro-establishment camp used to take the seats. But now we know there are actually a lot of pro-democracy voters in the field."<br /><br />In 2014, tens of thousands of people demonstrated for weeks to demand a one-man, one-vote election for chief executive, but they failed to win any concessions from Beijing.</p>