Elector admits voting offence at Sok Kwu Wan VR Election
2003-11-10
A registered elector of the 2003 Village Representative (VR) Elections today (Monday) admitted at Eastern Magistracy that he had committed a voting offence in relation to the election for Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island.
Lai Wai-fung, 58, pleaded guilty to 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.
Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan adjourned the case until December 3, 2003 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The court heard that Lai and his wife once lived in Sok Kwu Wan, but had moved to another address since 1980.
On March 9, 2003, Lai submitted to the Home Affairs Department an Application for Voter Registration (Village Representative Election - Resident Representative) to register as an elector of 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 principal residential address 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 applying to be registered and eligible to be registered as an elector for an existing village.
The court heard that on July 19, 2003, Lai voted at the VR Election for Sok Kwu Wan.
Lai was interviewed under caution by the ICAC on August 12, 2003. He admitted that his principal residential address for the three years immediately prior to filing his voter registration was in Tuen Mun.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Carmen Kwong.
Lai Wai-fung, 58, pleaded guilty to 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.
Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan adjourned the case until December 3, 2003 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was granted cash bail of $1,000.
The court heard that Lai and his wife once lived in Sok Kwu Wan, but had moved to another address since 1980.
On March 9, 2003, Lai submitted to the Home Affairs Department an Application for Voter Registration (Village Representative Election - Resident Representative) to register as an elector of 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 principal residential address 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 applying to be registered and eligible to be registered as an elector for an existing village.
The court heard that on July 19, 2003, Lai voted at the VR Election for Sok Kwu Wan.
Lai was interviewed under caution by the ICAC on August 12, 2003. He admitted that his principal residential address for the three years immediately prior to filing his voter registration was in Tuen Mun.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Carmen Kwong.