Three more jailed for vote-rigging at DC Election
2012-10-12
Three more registered electors were jailed for vote-rigging during the 2011 District Council (DC) Election at Kowloon City Magistracy today (Friday).
They were amongst the 30 persons so far convicted of voting offences in relation to the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).
Wong Ka-kin, 35, foot masseur, his wife Kumiko Lee Hoi-ki, 22, housewife, and Fung Ka-lun, 34, electrical technician, earlier each pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in corrupt conduct with respect to voting at election, contrary to Section 16(1)(b)( i) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO). They were each sentenced to two months’ jail.
Deputy Magistrate Jonathan Wong Kwok-ho said the offences committed by the defendants had undermined the credibility of sound electoral system, warranting custodial sentences.
The deputy magistrate added that the starting point of three months in jail was reduced to two months, taking into account their guilty pleas.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendants submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) their applications for registration as electors at the DC Election.
In their applications, the defendants stated that a flat in Wah Sun Building, 6-20 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
The court was told three genuine occupants residing at the address confirmed that they did not know the defendants and the defendants had never resided at the address.
On the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendants were each asked by the Polling Officer of the Polling Station to confirm if their reported residential address was accurate. Lee and Fung replied in the affirmative while Wong said it was another residential address of his.
Despite being reminded that it would be an offence under the ECICO to vote at an election knowing that one was not entitled to do so, the defendants still obtained ballot papers and voted at the said election.
Four other defendants charged in the same case, James Ho Chun-fai, Meicy Chan Mei-sze, Lau Ching-ki and Wong Ka-hong, have pleaded not guilty. They will face verdict on November 8, 2012.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.
They were amongst the 30 persons so far convicted of voting offences in relation to the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).
Wong Ka-kin, 35, foot masseur, his wife Kumiko Lee Hoi-ki, 22, housewife, and Fung Ka-lun, 34, electrical technician, earlier each pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in corrupt conduct with respect to voting at election, contrary to Section 16(1)(b)( i) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO). They were each sentenced to two months’ jail.
Deputy Magistrate Jonathan Wong Kwok-ho said the offences committed by the defendants had undermined the credibility of sound electoral system, warranting custodial sentences.
The deputy magistrate added that the starting point of three months in jail was reduced to two months, taking into account their guilty pleas.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendants submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) their applications for registration as electors at the DC Election.
In their applications, the defendants stated that a flat in Wah Sun Building, 6-20 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
The court was told three genuine occupants residing at the address confirmed that they did not know the defendants and the defendants had never resided at the address.
On the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendants were each asked by the Polling Officer of the Polling Station to confirm if their reported residential address was accurate. Lee and Fung replied in the affirmative while Wong said it was another residential address of his.
Despite being reminded that it would be an offence under the ECICO to vote at an election knowing that one was not entitled to do so, the defendants still obtained ballot papers and voted at the said election.
Four other defendants charged in the same case, James Ho Chun-fai, Meicy Chan Mei-sze, Lau Ching-ki and Wong Ka-hong, have pleaded not guilty. They will face verdict on November 8, 2012.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.