DHAKA: Crowds of people are expected to turn out in Hong Kong for what organisers say could be the largest pro-democracy protest in more than a decade.

Organisers said the annual rally, which marks the day Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, will focus on pressuring Beijing for full electoral freedom.

It comes days after an unofficial referendum on how to choose the chief executive drew close to 800,000 votes.

The Hong Kong government said the 10-day poll had no legal standing, reports the BBC.

Organisers expect more than half a million people to join the rally, which will kick off in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park at 03:00 (07:00 GMT) and will head to the Central district.

Several campaign groups have also indicated that they will stage peaceful overnight vigils after the march.

‘Public sentiment has dropped to the lowest point since 2003,’ said rally organiser Johnson Yeung. ‘I believe more people will come out’.

The rally in 2003 drew half a million people, who demonstrated against proposed anti-subversion laws which were later scrapped.

BDST: 1408 HRS, JULY 01, 2014