ICAC launches comprehensive campaign to promote clean District Council Election
2023-10-17
The ICAC has kicked off a multi-faceted education and publicity campaign for stakeholders of the District Council (DC) Election, which opens for nomination today (October 17), to help them better understand the electoral law. The Commission also calls on members of the public to actively participate in the upcoming election and fulfill their civic duty, as well as uphold the clean election culture.
The 2023 DC Election, scheduled to take place on December 10, is open for nomination from today to October 30. ICAC’s Programme Coordinator (Clean Elections) Debbie Ly Uyen-g noted that as in previous elections, the ICAC would host briefings for all stakeholders, including candidates, election helpers and voters, to remind them the gist of the electoral law and to uphold a clean election.
“The ICAC has approached political parties and organisations to arrange such briefings in a bid to draw the attention of potential candidates to areas to which they should pay attention when conducting election campaigns. Our officers have also attended over 100 meetings of the District Fight Crime Committees, the District Fire Safety Committees and the Area Committees (three Committees) to brief them on the requirements of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO),” said Ly.
“Three regional briefings have been conducted in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively for district organisations, building management bodies and members of the public, while briefings for over 30,000 polling station staff would be arranged to strengthen their awareness to corruption risks in relation to the voting procedure and vote counting process, as well as election-related offences,” Ly added.
Ms Ly also reminded that publicly inciting others not to vote or to cast invalid votes during the election period, including posting relevant contents on the internet, was an illegal conduct in breach of Section 27A of the ECICO. “The ICAC will take resolute enforcement actions to combat any conduct which might manipulate or undermine the election. Voting is the civic duty of every citizen. Members of the public are reminded to abide by the law and not to engage in illegal appeals or repost unlawful contents in order to uphold a fair and clean election,” Ms Ly added.
The ICAC has also produced tailor-made reference materials for election candidates, helpers and voters. Each candidate will receive a copy of the ICAC’s “Clean District Council Election” information booklet when submitting their nomination form. In addition, “Reminder to Electors”, “Checklist for Candidates”, “Guideline for Candidates on Election Return” and promotional leaflets for members of the three Committees are also available for reference.
The ICAC has also stepped up publicity to students of tertiary institutions. The clean election message is disseminated through anti-corruption talks for students, exhibitions, poster display and short videos.
Starting from October until polling day, the ICAC is also staging flash roadshows at over 100 venues at 18 districts across the territory. Through interactive games, members of the public would gain a better understanding of the relevant law and the importance of upholding a clean election. The clean election message would also be publicized through online and offline platforms, including TV and radio broadcast, public transport network, popular mobile applications as well as district facilities. With the assistance from Government departments and public bodies, district organisations, voluntary bodies, elderly centres as well as building management bodies, clean election posters will be displayed across the territory.
Members of the public can access information relating to ICAC’s education and publicity initiatives for the 2023 DC Election on the dedicated website (www.icac.org.hk/elections). An ICAC election hotline 2920 7878 is in operation to answer enquiries on the ECICO.
Should any citizen come across suspected breaches of the ECICO, he/she is urged to report in person to the ICAC Report Centre or any of the regional offices, or by phone to the ICAC Report Centre which runs a round-the-clock hotline 25 266 366.
The 2023 DC Election, scheduled to take place on December 10, is open for nomination from today to October 30. ICAC’s Programme Coordinator (Clean Elections) Debbie Ly Uyen-g noted that as in previous elections, the ICAC would host briefings for all stakeholders, including candidates, election helpers and voters, to remind them the gist of the electoral law and to uphold a clean election.
“The ICAC has approached political parties and organisations to arrange such briefings in a bid to draw the attention of potential candidates to areas to which they should pay attention when conducting election campaigns. Our officers have also attended over 100 meetings of the District Fight Crime Committees, the District Fire Safety Committees and the Area Committees (three Committees) to brief them on the requirements of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO),” said Ly.
“Three regional briefings have been conducted in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively for district organisations, building management bodies and members of the public, while briefings for over 30,000 polling station staff would be arranged to strengthen their awareness to corruption risks in relation to the voting procedure and vote counting process, as well as election-related offences,” Ly added.
Ms Ly also reminded that publicly inciting others not to vote or to cast invalid votes during the election period, including posting relevant contents on the internet, was an illegal conduct in breach of Section 27A of the ECICO. “The ICAC will take resolute enforcement actions to combat any conduct which might manipulate or undermine the election. Voting is the civic duty of every citizen. Members of the public are reminded to abide by the law and not to engage in illegal appeals or repost unlawful contents in order to uphold a fair and clean election,” Ms Ly added.
The ICAC has also produced tailor-made reference materials for election candidates, helpers and voters. Each candidate will receive a copy of the ICAC’s “Clean District Council Election” information booklet when submitting their nomination form. In addition, “Reminder to Electors”, “Checklist for Candidates”, “Guideline for Candidates on Election Return” and promotional leaflets for members of the three Committees are also available for reference.
The ICAC has also stepped up publicity to students of tertiary institutions. The clean election message is disseminated through anti-corruption talks for students, exhibitions, poster display and short videos.
Starting from October until polling day, the ICAC is also staging flash roadshows at over 100 venues at 18 districts across the territory. Through interactive games, members of the public would gain a better understanding of the relevant law and the importance of upholding a clean election. The clean election message would also be publicized through online and offline platforms, including TV and radio broadcast, public transport network, popular mobile applications as well as district facilities. With the assistance from Government departments and public bodies, district organisations, voluntary bodies, elderly centres as well as building management bodies, clean election posters will be displayed across the territory.
Members of the public can access information relating to ICAC’s education and publicity initiatives for the 2023 DC Election on the dedicated website (www.icac.org.hk/elections). An ICAC election hotline 2920 7878 is in operation to answer enquiries on the ECICO.
Should any citizen come across suspected breaches of the ECICO, he/she is urged to report in person to the ICAC Report Centre or any of the regional offices, or by phone to the ICAC Report Centre which runs a round-the-clock hotline 25 266 366.
ICAC stages flash roadshows across the territory to promote the clean election message to the public.
ICAC hosts briefing sessions for political parties to remind candidates, election agents and helpers to familiarize themselves with the legal requirements of the election.
ICAC officers attend meetings of the District Fight Crime Committees, District Fire Safety Committees and Area Committees in different districts to brief members on the gist of the electoral law.