Salesperson jailed for vote-rigging at DC Election
2012-11-15
A salesperson, charged by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) sentenced to two months’ imprisonment at Kowloon City Magistracy for vote-rigging at the 2011 District Council (DC) Election.
Lau Ching-ching, 33, 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.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Lee Siu-ho remarked that as elections were the cornerstone of democratic development, offenders of vote-rigging must be severely punished to ensure that clean elections were conducted in an open, fair and just manner.
The deputy magistrate added that the starting point of three months’ jail was reduced to two months, taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea, her good background as well as her remorse.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendant submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office her application for registration as an elector at the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).
In her application, the defendant stated that a flat in a building at 27 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was her only or principal residential address.
The owners and occupants of the address confirmed that they were residing at the address and did not know the defendant, the court heard.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that she had been residing at a public housing unit outside the constituency since 2004.
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 she knew to be material ly false or misleading, the court was told.
Co-defendant Sonia Cheung Kwai-yip, 40, unemployed, earlier pleaded not guilty to a similar charge. After trial, the defendant had her case adjourned to December 6 for a verdict.
So far, a total of 43 persons, including Lau, 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 nine were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail, with eight awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Chris Ng.
Lau Ching-ching, 33, 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.
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Lee Siu-ho remarked that as elections were the cornerstone of democratic development, offenders of vote-rigging must be severely punished to ensure that clean elections were conducted in an open, fair and just manner.
The deputy magistrate added that the starting point of three months’ jail was reduced to two months, taking into account the defendant’s guilty plea, her good background as well as her remorse.
The court heard that on July 16, 2011, the defendant submitted to the Registration and Electoral Office her application for registration as an elector at the 2011 Yau Tsim Mong DC Election (King’s Park Constituency).
In her application, the defendant stated that a flat in a building at 27 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was her only or principal residential address.
The owners and occupants of the address confirmed that they were residing at the address and did not know the defendant, the court heard.
When interviewed under caution by ICAC officers, the defendant admitted that she had been residing at a public housing unit outside the constituency since 2004.
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 she knew to be material ly false or misleading, the court was told.
Co-defendant Sonia Cheung Kwai-yip, 40, unemployed, earlier pleaded not guilty to a similar charge. After trial, the defendant had her case adjourned to December 6 for a verdict.
So far, a total of 43 persons, including Lau, 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 nine were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail, with eight awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Jones Tsui, assisted by ICAC officer Chris Ng.