A merchant and a hawker, charged by the ICAC, were today (Monday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistracy for vote-rigging during the 2011 District Council (DC) Election following the convictions of 33 people for similar offences.

Chan Wai-kin, 41, merchant, was given a jail term of eight months, while Ku Chiu-ming, 41, hawker, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

The sentencing of Chan’s wife Cheung Kwai-yuk, 42, self-employed, was adjourned to November 22, pending a community service order report.

Magistrate Mr Abu Bakar bin Wahab said vote-rigging was a serious offence, warranting custodial sentences.

Chan and Cheung 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, while Ku was earlier found guilty of a si milar charge.

The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendants submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office their applications for registration as electors at the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).

In their applications, the defendants stated that a flat in a building at 25 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.

ICAC enquiries revealed that at the material times, Chan and Cheung resided at a flat in Waterloo Road, Kowloon while Ku lived at Shantung Street in Mongkok.

Examination of the marked copies of the register confirmed that on the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendants obtained ballot papers and voted at the DC Election after giving to the electoral officer information that they knew to be materially fa lse or misleading.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Richard Ma, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Lam.