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The dramatic uptick in resignations came as new mandatory oaths of allegiances to the government for all district councillors are set to be introduced later this month.

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Reports suggest that disqualified district councillors may be forced to repay their salaries and allowances to the government.

Grounds for disqualification will reportedly include having taken part in an unofficial primary election for the democratic camp last July, having signed an online petition last year calling for Hong Kong to lose its special trade status, and displaying the protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times” in offices.

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Officials have said the oaths legislation will not be retroactive, but authorities will consider the past conduct of district councillors when reviewing whether their pledge of allegiance is sincere.

Southern district councillor Paul Zimmerman is urging the government to make clear what its intentions are over the fate of district councillors, saying it appears to be playing a 'scare game', which is extremely unhealthy.

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"I think it should be better and more correct for government to stop this game of letting up balloons in the media on what may, or may not, happen - and publish, as soon as possible, what their intentions are," he said.

Zimmerman said the government should lay down guidelines and criteria and make them effective in a month's time, rather than immediately, so people can consider them and make their own decisions.

Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei on Friday urged the government to clarify rumours that dozens of pro-democracy councillors could soon be unseated for being unpatriotic.

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Lo told an RTHK radio programme that more than ten of around 80 councillors from his party resigned on Thursday.

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Lo said the rumours feel like "an ultimatum", and some of the councillors from his party are still thinking about whether to quit or not.

He said everyone has different considerations, including the level of risk they can accept, and how much they could contribute to their communities if they stayed on as councillors.

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He has also written an open letter to Chief Executive Carrie Lam, saying it would be unreasonable to recoup salaries and allowances from councillors who have been serving their constituents since last year.

He said stripping them of their seats would disrespect voters who put them in office and seriously undermine people’s confidence in the electoral system.

A minibus decorated with pro-democracy stickers was checked and towed away by police in Mong Kok Thursday.

Police officers patrolling the area checked the minibus, parked along Sai Yeung Choi Street South near Soy Street, at about 5 pm and issued fines for blocking traffic. The driver was searched, and upon initial investigation, the vehicle was also suspected of violating road traffic regulations.

Officers taped black plastic sheets to conceal the stickers—depicting a Mr Monopoly-like caricature in a yellow hard hat—before towing the minibus away.

The vehicle was promoting an indoor bazaar called “Poor Guy Market” this weekend.

According to the market’s social media pages, police also checked the vehicle on Monday when it was parked in Mong Kok. On Facebook and Instagram, the market said that their vehicle has all the required licenses. At the time, officers said the minibus did not violate any ordinances.

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