Three months' jail for voting offence in Sok Kwu Wan VR Election
2003-12-17
A registered elector of the 2003 Village Representative (VR) Elections was today (Wednesday) sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Eastern Magistracy for a voting offence in relation to the VR election for Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island.
Lai Yau-fat, 39, was earlier found guilty of one count of engaging in corrupt conduct with respect to voting at an election, contrary to Section 16(1)(b)(i) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan said he did not accept Lai's mitigation that he had committed the offence out of negligence, and reprimanded him for showing no remorse.
The court heard that Lai once lived in Sok Kwu Wan, but had moved to another address since early 1990.
On March 3, 2003, Lai submitted to the Home Affairs Department an Application for Voter Registration (VR Election - Resident Representative) in relation to the 2003 VR Election (Resident Representative) for Sok Kwu Wan.
In his application, Lai falsely declared that his principal residential address was a premises in Sok Kwu Wan, and that the premises was his only or main residence in Hong Kong.
Lai also claimed that he had been a resident of Sok Kwu Wan for the three years immediately before filing his application, and was eligible to be registered as an elector.
The court heard that on July 19, 2003, Lai voted at the VR Election for Sok Kwu Wan.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Joseph Cheng.
Lai Yau-fat, 39, was earlier found guilty of one count of engaging in corrupt conduct with respect to voting at an election, contrary to Section 16(1)(b)(i) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan said he did not accept Lai's mitigation that he had committed the offence out of negligence, and reprimanded him for showing no remorse.
The court heard that Lai once lived in Sok Kwu Wan, but had moved to another address since early 1990.
On March 3, 2003, Lai submitted to the Home Affairs Department an Application for Voter Registration (VR Election - Resident Representative) in relation to the 2003 VR Election (Resident Representative) for Sok Kwu Wan.
In his application, Lai falsely declared that his principal residential address was a premises in Sok Kwu Wan, and that the premises was his only or main residence in Hong Kong.
Lai also claimed that he had been a resident of Sok Kwu Wan for the three years immediately before filing his application, and was eligible to be registered as an elector.
The court heard that on July 19, 2003, Lai voted at the VR Election for Sok Kwu Wan.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Joseph Cheng.