A worker, charged by the ICAC, was today (Wednesday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistracy for vote-rigging during the 2011 District Council (DC) Election following the convictions of 34 people for similar offences.

Chau Ka-kuen, 48, decoration worker, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by Deputy Magistrate Miss Veronica Heung Shuk-han.

The deputy magistrate noted that the starting point of three months’ jail was reduced to two months, taking into account his guilty plea.

The defendant had earlier 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.

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 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).

In his application, the defendant stated that a flat in Foo Tat Building, 50 Soy Street, Mongkok was his only or principal residential address.

An occupant residing at the address with her family members confirmed that the defendant had never resided at the address, the court was told.

Examination of the marked copies of the register confirmed that on the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendant obtained a ballot paper and voted at the DC Election after having given to the electoral officer information that he knew to be materiall y false or misleading.

When interviewed under caution, the defendant admitted that he had been residing at a flat in Canton Road with his family members for three to four years.

The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Jonathan Lin, assisted by ICAC officer Chris Ng.