Defeated candidate penalised for treating voters at DC By-election
2004-2-17
A defeated candidate of the 2003 Kowloon City District Council By-election (Hoi Sham Constituency), charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistracy for treating voters to "dim sum" in return for their votes at the By-election .
Guide Lam Hoi-sing, 47, was ordered by Magistrate Mr Pang Chung-ping to perform 100 hours of community service.
Lam was earlier found guilty of two charges under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
One of the charges stated that Lam had engaged in corrupt conduct by meeting all or part of the cost of providing food, drink and entertainment for the attendees of a tea gathering for inducing them to vote for him in the By-election.
The court heard that the gathering, hosted by "Lam Hoi Sing Community Service Centre", took place at a restaurant in To Kwa Wan on December 30, 2002, shortly after Lam had submitted his candidature for the By-election with the Registration and Electoral O ffice.
Lam had initially reserved 10 tables for the gathering, with each table serving 10 persons at $30 per head. Admission tickets were then sold to attendees at $20 each.
On the day of the gathering, attendees filled a total of 11 tables and the bill eventually came to $3,300, the court heard.
Another charge stated that Lam had failed to include all or part of the expenses, incurred for the tea gathering, as election expenses in a Return and Declaration of Election Expenses and Donation submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer in respect of the By-election.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Torres Leung.
Guide Lam Hoi-sing, 47, was ordered by Magistrate Mr Pang Chung-ping to perform 100 hours of community service.
Lam was earlier found guilty of two charges under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
One of the charges stated that Lam had engaged in corrupt conduct by meeting all or part of the cost of providing food, drink and entertainment for the attendees of a tea gathering for inducing them to vote for him in the By-election.
The court heard that the gathering, hosted by "Lam Hoi Sing Community Service Centre", took place at a restaurant in To Kwa Wan on December 30, 2002, shortly after Lam had submitted his candidature for the By-election with the Registration and Electoral O ffice.
Lam had initially reserved 10 tables for the gathering, with each table serving 10 persons at $30 per head. Admission tickets were then sold to attendees at $20 each.
On the day of the gathering, attendees filled a total of 11 tables and the bill eventually came to $3,300, the court heard.
Another charge stated that Lam had failed to include all or part of the expenses, incurred for the tea gathering, as election expenses in a Return and Declaration of Election Expenses and Donation submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer in respect of the By-election.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Torres Leung.