ICAC keeps DC polls clean through vigorous law enforcement and education
2007-9-22
The ICAC was determined to keep the upcoming District Council (DC) Election clean through strict law enforcement and intensive education, said ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong Hin-ming, today (Saturday).
Speaking after the launching ceremony of ICAC roving exhibitions, Mr Tong said in previous elections, a majority of the complaints concerned illegal conduct, including technical breaches of the law.
The ICAC would heighten public awareness of the provisions of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), he said.
Mr Tong stressed the importance of spreading the clean election message in the community as more candidates might be drawn to this year's election as a result of the expansion of roles and functions of DCs.
The educational and publicity programmes for the 2007 DC Election include:
- organising briefings for candidates and their election agents on the legislative requirements;
- distributing an information booklet to candidates and their election agents;
- setting up a 24-hour election enquires hotline 2920 7878;
- launching a dedicated election webpage to provide information on relevant laws and education activities.
Mr Tong said: “The ICAC will act in strict accordance with the law in pursuing suspected cases to ensure the election will be run in a clean and fair manner.”
He noted that about 80 per cent of the 1,000-plus complaints concerning the 2003 DC Election were suspected of illegal conduct, which was the relatively minor nature of offences under the ECICO.
Of the four persons prosecuted in relation to that election, three were convicted and sentenced for voting offences while the fourth would face trial soon.
To date, the ICAC has received nine complaints alleging breaches of ECICO relating to the 2007 DC Election.
Today's exhibition “Hong Kong's Winning Edge –'96 You and the ICAC” at the Olympian City Two features Hong Kong’s achievements in anti-corruption work and highlights the importance of public support in maintaining a clean society.
Meanwhile, Mr Tong's maiden article entitled “Together We Build a Clean Society” has been uploaded onto the ICAC website.
“Be they complex financial crimes involving huge amount of money or cases involving just ordinary citizens, most of them are exposed as a result of tip-offs from members of the public. Hong Kong's anti-corruption achievement is unique in its high degree o f public engagement,” he said.
He also noted that 90 per cent of corruption reports came directly from the public. Non-anonymous reports reached a record 73 per cent last year.
ICAC annual surveys also affirmed that the ICAC enjoyed overwhelming public support, currently at a 99% approval rate.
Mr Tong said corruption complaints concerning the building management sector had taken up over 40 per cent of private sector reports in recent years.
In the first eight months this year, the ICAC received 643 reports concerning building management, representing a rise of 22 per cent from 528 in the same period of last year.
He revealed that the ICAC and the Hong Kong Housing Society would jointly publish a guidebook on the commissioning of project consultants and contractors of renovation work early next year.
Also officiating at the Launching Ceremony today were: Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption (ACOC) Mrs Laura Cha; Chairman of the Operations Review Committee Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung; ACOC members Mr John Chan Cho-chak, Ms Maria Tam Wai-chu, Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee and Mr Chan Kam-lam; Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee member Mr Ip Shing-hing; and Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations member Dr Maurice Tse Kwok-sang.
The exhibition will tour to Tuen Mun City Plaza, Ma On Shan Plaza, City Plaza Shopping Centre at Taikoo Shing and the MegaBox at Kowloon Bay between September and November.
The public can browse the ICAC website ( www.icac.org.hk ) for Mr Tong’s article under Commissioner Online .
Speaking after the launching ceremony of ICAC roving exhibitions, Mr Tong said in previous elections, a majority of the complaints concerned illegal conduct, including technical breaches of the law.
The ICAC would heighten public awareness of the provisions of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), he said.
Mr Tong stressed the importance of spreading the clean election message in the community as more candidates might be drawn to this year's election as a result of the expansion of roles and functions of DCs.
The educational and publicity programmes for the 2007 DC Election include:
- organising briefings for candidates and their election agents on the legislative requirements;
- distributing an information booklet to candidates and their election agents;
- setting up a 24-hour election enquires hotline 2920 7878;
- launching a dedicated election webpage to provide information on relevant laws and education activities.
Mr Tong said: “The ICAC will act in strict accordance with the law in pursuing suspected cases to ensure the election will be run in a clean and fair manner.”
He noted that about 80 per cent of the 1,000-plus complaints concerning the 2003 DC Election were suspected of illegal conduct, which was the relatively minor nature of offences under the ECICO.
Of the four persons prosecuted in relation to that election, three were convicted and sentenced for voting offences while the fourth would face trial soon.
To date, the ICAC has received nine complaints alleging breaches of ECICO relating to the 2007 DC Election.
Today's exhibition “Hong Kong's Winning Edge –'96 You and the ICAC” at the Olympian City Two features Hong Kong’s achievements in anti-corruption work and highlights the importance of public support in maintaining a clean society.
Meanwhile, Mr Tong's maiden article entitled “Together We Build a Clean Society” has been uploaded onto the ICAC website.
“Be they complex financial crimes involving huge amount of money or cases involving just ordinary citizens, most of them are exposed as a result of tip-offs from members of the public. Hong Kong's anti-corruption achievement is unique in its high degree o f public engagement,” he said.
He also noted that 90 per cent of corruption reports came directly from the public. Non-anonymous reports reached a record 73 per cent last year.
ICAC annual surveys also affirmed that the ICAC enjoyed overwhelming public support, currently at a 99% approval rate.
Mr Tong said corruption complaints concerning the building management sector had taken up over 40 per cent of private sector reports in recent years.
In the first eight months this year, the ICAC received 643 reports concerning building management, representing a rise of 22 per cent from 528 in the same period of last year.
He revealed that the ICAC and the Hong Kong Housing Society would jointly publish a guidebook on the commissioning of project consultants and contractors of renovation work early next year.
Also officiating at the Launching Ceremony today were: Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption (ACOC) Mrs Laura Cha; Chairman of the Operations Review Committee Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung; ACOC members Mr John Chan Cho-chak, Ms Maria Tam Wai-chu, Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee and Mr Chan Kam-lam; Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee member Mr Ip Shing-hing; and Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations member Dr Maurice Tse Kwok-sang.
The exhibition will tour to Tuen Mun City Plaza, Ma On Shan Plaza, City Plaza Shopping Centre at Taikoo Shing and the MegaBox at Kowloon Bay between September and November.
The public can browse the ICAC website ( www.icac.org.hk ) for Mr Tong’s article under Commissioner Online .