HONG KONG — A new wave of anti-China activists appeared headed for victory in Hong Kong’s most crucial elections since the handover from Britain in 1997, setting the stage for a fresh round of political confrontations over Beijing’s control of the city.

While official results were yet to be released, preliminary tallies Monday indicated that youthful candidates from groups that emerged after prodemocracy street protests in 2014 are on track to win seats.

Counting in some areas was delayed because of the record turnout. About 2.2 million people, or 58 percent of registered voters, cast ballots for lawmakers in the Legislative Council, which was the highest since the handover.

The newcomers were riding a rising tide of anti-China sentiment as they challenged formidably resourced pro-Beijing rivals for seats. Some backed the previously unthinkable idea of independence for Hong Kong, which has added to divisions within the broader prodemocracy movement and overshadowed the election.

Last month, officials disqualified six pro-independence candidates in an attempt to tamp down the debate, though other candidates with similar views made the cut.

Nathan Law, who helped lead the 2014 protests, looked to be one of the biggest winners. Law’s party, Demosisto, which he formed with teen protest leader Joshua Wong, advocates a referendum on ‘‘self-determination’’ of Hong Kong’s future. He was expected to win a seat in the Hong Kong Island constituency after receiving the second-highest number of votes, with 90 percent of ballots counted.

Voters are choosing lawmakers to fill 35 seats in geographic constituencies. Another 30 seats are taken by members representing business and trade groups such as accounting, finance, medicine, and fisheries. Five more ‘‘super seats’’ are chosen by voters citywide.

Associated Press