It is understood that the revamped district council elections would have about 88 of the 470 councillors, or 20 percent, to be directly elected.

The members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees would be taking part in the indirect elections to elect 40 percent of the district councillors.

The remaining 40 percent of the seats would be going to government-appointed representatives.

Regarding nomination eligibility, it is understood that the candidates have to be nominated by a voter from their district, along with support from nine members of the aforementioned three committees.

The electoral reform will be proposed to the Legislative Council and is expected to hold the district council's re-election at the end of November at the earliest once it is approved.

Sources have also pointed out that district officers from each of the 18 districts will serve as the chairman of the district councils.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu earlier said that while district councils should be retained as an important tool for district administration and consultation, their formation should be "depoliticized."

Only a limited number of councillors would be directly elected to safeguard national security and ensure that only patriots take office, he said last week.

Pro-democracy councillors have expressed concerns that the reform would undermine the potential for people taking part and the councils' ability to reflect public opinion.