In Hong Kong, a record number of residents have cast their votes in district council elections, after polls opened early this morning. District council elections are held every fours years, but there's a spotlight on this year's vote, as it comes amid nearly six months of protests in Hong Kong. As of 6:30 PM local time, voter turnout in all 18 district councils hit 60-percent, after nearly 2.5 million voters cast their ballots. An earlier turnout rate was said to have surpassed the overall turnout in 2015's elections. And more than 600 polling stations are open for about 4.1 million voters.  Many residents hope this election can end violence and bring back peace to Hong Kong. So can this end violence? And how can the results influence the ongoing protests? Xu Qinduo, senior fellow at Pangoal Institution, and Edward Lehman, managing director at Lehman, Lee & Xu, share their views on CGTN respectively.