AKIPRESS.COM - Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement got a boost on Monday with about eight candidates involved in crippling protests last year winning office at district-level elections, while some veterans from both sides of the political divide suffered defeat.

The election of the so-called Umbrella Soldiers - named after the 2014 demonstrations in which activists used umbrellas to guard against tear gas and pepper spray - reflects continued support for political change in the Chinese-ruled city, reported Reuters.

"The paratroopers are the new force," said James Sung, a political analyst at the City University of Hong Kong, referring to candidates inspired by the Umbrella movement. "The paratroopers are a new power, a challenge to the government and the central authorities in Beijing."

Results from Sunday's polls, which saw about 900 candidates compete for 431 district council seats, where pro-Beijing parties currently hold a majority, were announced on Monday.

"My greatest wish at this moment is to serve the community well," said Wong Chi-ken, 38, who took part in the protests and has been referred to in local media as an Umbrella Soldier.

The election of candidates who took part in the protests now casts them in a legitimate political light, in contrast to how they were perceived by some during the demonstrations, which were deemed illegal by the central government in Beijing.

District councillors wield little power, acting more in an advisory role in which they can push forward policies, in particular grass-roots concerns, for the government in the Chinese-controlled city to consider.

But the poll results may provide insight into how elections for the city's powerful Legislative Council, due next year, and a controversial leadership poll in 2017 could pan out.

"The results show that the Umbrella Soldiers reflect the intention or wishes of the youngsters," said political commentator Johnny Lau.

At least 40 candidates who took part in the democracy protests, or were inspired by them, ran in the elections, local media reported.

Two democracy veterans lost their seats.