One month's jail for voting offence in Sok Kwu Wan VR Election
2003-12-3
A registered elector of the 2003 Village Representative (VR) Elections was today (Wednesday) sentenced to one month's imprisonment at Eastern Magistracy for a voting offence in relation to the VR election for Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island.
Lai Wai-fung, 58, earlier 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.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan said the jail term was reduced from the starting point of two months, taking into account the defendant's guilty plea and background report.
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 (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.
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 not in Sok Kwu Wan.
Another registered elector, Lai Yau-fat, 39, who was charged with a similar voting offence in relation to the same election, was today found guilty at Eastern Magistracy in a separate case.
The magistrate adjourned his case until December 17, 2003 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam today represented the prosecution in both cases, and was assisted by ICAC officer Carmen Kwong.
Lai Wai-fung, 58, earlier 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.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Johnny Chan said the jail term was reduced from the starting point of two months, taking into account the defendant's guilty plea and background report.
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 (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.
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 not in Sok Kwu Wan.
Another registered elector, Lai Yau-fat, 39, who was charged with a similar voting offence in relation to the same election, was today found guilty at Eastern Magistracy in a separate case.
The magistrate adjourned his case until December 17, 2003 for sentence, pending a background report. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.
Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam today represented the prosecution in both cases, and was assisted by ICAC officer Carmen Kwong.