District council members of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region can be disqualified, if sentenced to three months or more in prison as some of them face trial due to involvement in the protests. The rule is stated in the District Councils Ordinance that governs the council.  The newly elected council members started their term on Wednesday. 

Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po reports that at least 17 district councilors from the opposition party have been arrested since the start of the Hong Kong unrest and might be convicted of illegal gatherings and street violence.

If the court trials them to the maximum penalty, they will lose the status of the council members. 

(Cover Photo: File Photo)