Residents of Hong Kong are voting for representatives in district councils in in the first elections since large-scale protests rocked the city last year.

Known as the Umbrella Movement, the student-led protests aimed to accelerate the pace of reforms in the former British colony. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that is more akin to Western liberal democracies.

The demonstrations last year caused havoc in Hong Kong, closing major roads and highways. 

The movement, seen as a major challenge to Beijing's influence in the city, failed in its stated objective to eliminate Beijing's ability to pre-screen candidates.

"It feels like once the Umbrella Movement was over, we didn't know which way to go from there," Steve Ng, a former chef who is running in the district council elections, told Reuters. "I wanted to see if I had the ability to continue to push the democratic movement."

The movement did serve to reignite political debate in the city, leading to a crowded field of 900 candidates in these district council elections. Many of those involved in the Umbrella Movement are also vying for a post, leading to speculation of vote-splitting amongst newer candidates and more established parties who seek greater autonomy from China.

431 seats in 18 district councils, where pro-Beijing parties currently hold a majority, are up for grabs. 

A poll by the University of Hong Kong predicted a higher turnout than the 41.5 achieved in 2011 council elections. Results are not expected until late Sunday.

District councilors, however, command little power, but results could affect the more important Legislative Council elections, to be held in 2017.

Earlier this year, legislators voted down an electoral reform package that would have paved the way for a direct vote in 2017.