Hong Kong - A key election in Hong Kong was shunned by a majority of voters Sunday despite expectations that the "Olympics factor" would rally support for China-friendly parties.

Only around four in 10 registered voters had cast their ballots one hour before polls closed in the legislative council election in the only city in China where people can chose some of their elected representatives.

The turnout is predicted to be at least 10 per cent below the 55 per cent of 3.3 million registered voters who cast their ballots in the last legislative council elections in Hong Kong four years ago.

Sixty seats were being contested in the former British colony's elections, with voters given the right to pick 30 legislators. The rest are chosen by largely pro-Beijing professional interest groups.

Analysts expected the wave of patriotism that swept Hong Kong during the Beijing Olympics and the visit last week by China gold medallists may help give pro-China groups a bigger share of the vote.

In the fiercely contested 2004 elections, pro-democracy parties took 25 of the 60 seats, giving them the power to halt constitutional reform which requires a two-thirds legislative majority.

But infighting in the pro-democracy camp and the dashing of hopes for universal suffrage by 2012, combined with Olympics fervour, was expected to benefit China-friendly parties in Sunday's election.

The anticipated swing would see the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance Party and the business-oriented Liberal Party benefit while democracy movement stalwarts such as Emily Lau might lose their seats.

However, an hour before polls closed at 10.30 p.m, only 40 per cent of eligible voters had cast their votes, compared to 50 per cent at the same stage in the previous election.

The 2004 elections drew a final turnout of 55 per cent and took place against a backdrop of an economic slump huge public demonstrations calling for universal suffrage.

Protests died out as Beijing ruled out democracy in the short- term, but Sunday's lacklustre turnout indicated that pro-democracy sentiment had been replaced by apathy rather than pro-China sentiment.

Earlier in the day, Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed chief executive Donald Tsang told reporters he hoped voters would select the candidates best suited to guide the city of 6.9 million through turbulent economic times.

"These will be particularly trying years in the midst of global financial troubles," he said, after casting his ballot Sunday morning.

"We need good legislative councillors to come out to work for the people of Hong Kong and work with the Hong Kong government to ensure we have a prosperous, stable, calm and harmonious four years."

Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" arrangement allowing for limited democracy and an independent judicial and political system.

However, China has overruled provisions in Hong Kong's mini- constitution that allow for full democracy in the territory by 2007, insisting it will not be ready for universal suffrage until 2017 at the earliest.

Results of the elections were expected to be known by early Monday morning Hong Kong time. (dpa)