Two months’ jail for vote-rigging at DC Election
2012-11-9
Two cafe operators, charged by the ICAC, were today (Friday) each sentenced to two months’ imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for vote-rigging at the 2011 District Council (DC) Election.
Lai Ming-wing, 55, and Ng Yee, 57, both operators of a cafe, 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) Ordinan ce.
In sentencing, Magistrate Ko Wai-hung said the offences committed by the defendants undermined the credibility of the sound electoral system in Hong Kong, warranting immediate custodial sentences.
Upon the application of Ng, the magistrate granted him cash bail of $5,000, pending his appeal against sentence. He was ordered to surrender his travel document to the court and not to leave Hong Kong.
Lai did not make an application for bail, and was sent to prison to serve his jail term.
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 Hung Kwong Building, 2A-2P Tung Choi Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Lai confirmed that he lived in Kowloon Tong, and Ng admitted that he had never resided at the reported address in Hung Kwong Building.
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 having given to the electoral officer information that they knew to be materia lly false or misleading.
So far, a total of 42 persons, including Lai and Ng, have been convicted of charges of voting-rigging, providing false information in the registration of elector and conspiracy to defraud in relation to the DC Election.
Of them, 34 pleaded guilty to their respective charges and eight were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Lam.
Lai Ming-wing, 55, and Ng Yee, 57, both operators of a cafe, 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) Ordinan ce.
In sentencing, Magistrate Ko Wai-hung said the offences committed by the defendants undermined the credibility of the sound electoral system in Hong Kong, warranting immediate custodial sentences.
Upon the application of Ng, the magistrate granted him cash bail of $5,000, pending his appeal against sentence. He was ordered to surrender his travel document to the court and not to leave Hong Kong.
Lai did not make an application for bail, and was sent to prison to serve his jail term.
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 Hung Kwong Building, 2A-2P Tung Choi Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, Lai confirmed that he lived in Kowloon Tong, and Ng admitted that he had never resided at the reported address in Hung Kwong Building.
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 having given to the electoral officer information that they knew to be materia lly false or misleading.
So far, a total of 42 persons, including Lai and Ng, have been convicted of charges of voting-rigging, providing false information in the registration of elector and conspiracy to defraud in relation to the DC Election.
Of them, 34 pleaded guilty to their respective charges and eight were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Keith Lam.