Hong Kong's district elections chance to step back from the brink of the abyss

Over the past five months or so, radical, violent and criminal practices in Hong Kong have severely threatened people's safety and property, disrupted the rule of law and social order, and undermined the city's prosperity and stability. Were it not for that and the attendant media brouhaha, the local council elections in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday would not have grabbed so much attention.

But because of the unrest since June, although the election was mainly about community concerns in the 18 districts of the SAR - with 452 district councilors to be elected from among 1,090 candidates by 4.13 million registered voters - it has assumed greater significance.

It was the first popular election in the city since the anti-government chaos erupted. The relative tranquility the city enjoyed since several days before the election suggests all stakeholders regarded it as an opportunity to air their views.