Public urged to support clean election as cornerstone of constitutional development
2004-7-18
ICAC Commissioner Raymond Wong Hung-chiu urges the public to abide by the laws and the rules when participating in the coming Legislative Council election, stressing that a clean and fair election culture and system is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's const itutional development.
In his new article uploaded on the ICAC website today (Sunday), Mr Wong says the latest TV commercial on clean Legco election clearly conveys the message that corrupt and illegal activities will not only tarnish one's reputation and integrity, but also ta int the clean electoral system of Hong Kong.
By enforcing the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), the ICAC plays a major role in ensuring clean and fair elections.
"It is a common perception that various public elections in recent years have been conducted in an orderly manner and remained largely clean," the Commissioner points out.
Among the 343 complaints in relation to the 2000 Legco Election that the ICAC received, the majority was of a minor nature. Meanwhile, no one has been prosecuted for violating the ECICO in the election.
In regard to the coming Legco Election, the ICAC has so far received seven complaints.
Under the ECICO, no one is allowed to use force or duress against another person, or to offer advantages to induce the latter to vote for a particular candidate at an election, the Commissioner warns.
Mr Wong also reminds potential candidates that once they have publicly declared their intention to stand as a candidate, all expenses incurred in relation to the election will be regarded as election expenses.
"In exercising their civil rights in casting votes, electors also need to avoid inadvertently breaching the law," he urges.
"In the past, there were complaints alleging individual citizens of giving false residential addresses to register as voters and subsequently voting at the election, knowing that they are not entitled to vote.
"Election helpers must be watchful that to invite or induce another person to vote at an election, knowing that he is not entitled to vote in that election, is also an offence."
While encouraging the public to report alleged election malpractices to the ICAC, the Commissioner assures that all complaints will be kept in the strictest confidence, and handled in accordance with the law.
The new Commissioner Online article is available for public access at the ICAC's corporate website ( http://www.icac.org.hk ).
In his new article uploaded on the ICAC website today (Sunday), Mr Wong says the latest TV commercial on clean Legco election clearly conveys the message that corrupt and illegal activities will not only tarnish one's reputation and integrity, but also ta int the clean electoral system of Hong Kong.
By enforcing the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), the ICAC plays a major role in ensuring clean and fair elections.
"It is a common perception that various public elections in recent years have been conducted in an orderly manner and remained largely clean," the Commissioner points out.
Among the 343 complaints in relation to the 2000 Legco Election that the ICAC received, the majority was of a minor nature. Meanwhile, no one has been prosecuted for violating the ECICO in the election.
In regard to the coming Legco Election, the ICAC has so far received seven complaints.
Under the ECICO, no one is allowed to use force or duress against another person, or to offer advantages to induce the latter to vote for a particular candidate at an election, the Commissioner warns.
Mr Wong also reminds potential candidates that once they have publicly declared their intention to stand as a candidate, all expenses incurred in relation to the election will be regarded as election expenses.
"In exercising their civil rights in casting votes, electors also need to avoid inadvertently breaching the law," he urges.
"In the past, there were complaints alleging individual citizens of giving false residential addresses to register as voters and subsequently voting at the election, knowing that they are not entitled to vote.
"Election helpers must be watchful that to invite or induce another person to vote at an election, knowing that he is not entitled to vote in that election, is also an offence."
While encouraging the public to report alleged election malpractices to the ICAC, the Commissioner assures that all complaints will be kept in the strictest confidence, and handled in accordance with the law.
The new Commissioner Online article is available for public access at the ICAC's corporate website ( http://www.icac.org.hk ).