Duo guilty of bribes-for-votes at 2018 LegCo By-election
2021-5-13
Two then volunteers of a resident association in Sham Shui Po were today (May 13) convicted at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts of offering “lucky bags” to induce fellow residents to vote for a particular candidate at the 2018 Legislative Council (LegCo) By-election.
Deng Yimei, 44, and Wong Wai-ha, 54, both housewives and then voluntary helpers of Friends of Hoi Lai Society (FHL), were convicted of one count of conspiracy to engage in corrupt conduct at an election by offering an advantage to others, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Mr Peter Hui Shiu-keung adjourned the case to May 26 for sentence, pending background reports. The defendants were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that the 2018 LegCo By-election for the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency (the By-election), contested by three candidates, was held on March 11, 2018. The nomination period ran from January 16 to 29, 2018.
At the material time, the defendants were residents of Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon which fell within the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency. They were also voluntary helpers of FHL—a resident association in Hoi Lai Estate.
In late February 2018, Wong started to ask Deng to collect personal particulars, including names, phone numbers and addresses, from voters residing in Hoi Lai Estate.
Deng then asked a number of Hoi Lai Estate residents whom she came to know through FHL or the church to give her the names of voters in their families, saying that they would be given “lucky bags” containing daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100 after voting for Cheng Wing-shun, a candidate of the By-election.
The court heard that Deng eventually collected the personal particulars of at least 10 Hoi Lai Estate residents and provided those information to Wong via mobile phone messages. On the Polling Day, Deng reminded most of the aforesaid 10 Hoi Lai residents to vote for Cheng.
The Registration and Electoral Office had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Newman Wong and Public Prosecutor Douglas Lau, assisted by ICAC officer Franki Law.
Deng Yimei, 44, and Wong Wai-ha, 54, both housewives and then voluntary helpers of Friends of Hoi Lai Society (FHL), were convicted of one count of conspiracy to engage in corrupt conduct at an election by offering an advantage to others, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Deputy Magistrate Mr Peter Hui Shiu-keung adjourned the case to May 26 for sentence, pending background reports. The defendants were remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The court heard that the 2018 LegCo By-election for the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency (the By-election), contested by three candidates, was held on March 11, 2018. The nomination period ran from January 16 to 29, 2018.
At the material time, the defendants were residents of Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon which fell within the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency. They were also voluntary helpers of FHL—a resident association in Hoi Lai Estate.
In late February 2018, Wong started to ask Deng to collect personal particulars, including names, phone numbers and addresses, from voters residing in Hoi Lai Estate.
Deng then asked a number of Hoi Lai Estate residents whom she came to know through FHL or the church to give her the names of voters in their families, saying that they would be given “lucky bags” containing daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100 after voting for Cheng Wing-shun, a candidate of the By-election.
The court heard that Deng eventually collected the personal particulars of at least 10 Hoi Lai Estate residents and provided those information to Wong via mobile phone messages. On the Polling Day, Deng reminded most of the aforesaid 10 Hoi Lai residents to vote for Cheng.
The Registration and Electoral Office had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Newman Wong and Public Prosecutor Douglas Lau, assisted by ICAC officer Franki Law.