Man gets four months for false voter registration
2012-9-18
A man, charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) sentenced to four months’ imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy after being convicted of providing false information in the registration of elector in the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong District Council (DC) Election (King’s Park Constituency).
Lui Sze-kwok, 41, a proprietor of a company, was found guilty of one count of knowingly making a false statement in voter registration, contrary to Section 22(1)(e) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Registration of Electors) (Legislative Council Geographical Constituencies) (District Council Constituencies) Regulation (EAC Regulation).
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Abu Bakar bin Wahab said knowingly providing false information in voter registration was a serious offence, which warranted a jail sentence to serve as a deterrent.
The case arose from a complaint, alleging the defendant of having committed a voting offence under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance in relation to the DC Election. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence under the EAC Regulation as he did not cast his vote in the election.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendant submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office his application for registration as an elector at the DC Election.
In his application, the defendant stated that a flat in Foo Tat Building, 50 Soy Street, Mong Kok was his only or principal residential address.
The owners and occupants of the flat confirmed that the defendant had never resided in the flat and they did not know him. ICAC investigation further revealed that the defendant was in fact residing in Shatin.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that upon the request of a female client of his company, he filled in his personal particulars in the voter registration form in mid 2011. He did not fill in the address because the client said he needed not do so.
The defendant also admitted that he signed the form, and was told the purpose of the form was to support the running of candidacy of the client’s relative.
The defendant did not vote in the DC Election held on November 6, 2011, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Chris Ng.
Lui Sze-kwok, 41, a proprietor of a company, was found guilty of one count of knowingly making a false statement in voter registration, contrary to Section 22(1)(e) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Registration of Electors) (Legislative Council Geographical Constituencies) (District Council Constituencies) Regulation (EAC Regulation).
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Abu Bakar bin Wahab said knowingly providing false information in voter registration was a serious offence, which warranted a jail sentence to serve as a deterrent.
The case arose from a complaint, alleging the defendant of having committed a voting offence under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance in relation to the DC Election. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence under the EAC Regulation as he did not cast his vote in the election.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendant submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office his application for registration as an elector at the DC Election.
In his application, the defendant stated that a flat in Foo Tat Building, 50 Soy Street, Mong Kok was his only or principal residential address.
The owners and occupants of the flat confirmed that the defendant had never resided in the flat and they did not know him. ICAC investigation further revealed that the defendant was in fact residing in Shatin.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that upon the request of a female client of his company, he filled in his personal particulars in the voter registration form in mid 2011. He did not fill in the address because the client said he needed not do so.
The defendant also admitted that he signed the form, and was told the purpose of the form was to support the running of candidacy of the client’s relative.
The defendant did not vote in the DC Election held on November 6, 2011, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Chris Ng.