Four jailed for vote-rigging at DC Election
2012-11-21
A couple and two other persons, charged by the ICAC, were today (Wednesday) sentenced to jail terms up to three months at Kowloon City Magistracy for vote-rigging at the 2011 District Council (DC) Election.
James Ho Chun-fai, 46, movie projectionist, his wife Meicy Chan Mei-sze, 39, manager, and Wong Ka-hong, 30, hawker, each received a jail term of three months, while Lau Ching-ki, 40, self-employed, was jailed for two months.
The defendants were earlier each found guilty of 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).
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Jonathan Wong Kwok-ho remarked that the principle of “one man, one vote” was vital to the electoral system.
The deputy magistrate added that as no one should interfere with the election results, the defendants deserved custodial sentences.
Upon their applications, the magistrate granted Ho and Wong cash bail of $40,000 and $20,000 respectively, pending their appeals against sentences. Chan and Lau did not make any application for bail, and were sent to prison to serve their jail terms.
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 Wah Sun Building, 6-20 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
The occupants residing at the address confirmed that they did not know the defendants, and that the defendants had never resided at the address, the court heard.
On the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendants were each asked by an officer of the polling station to confirm if their reported residential address was accurate. Ho, Chan and Lau replied in the affirmative, while Wong said it was his old address .
Despite being reminded that one would commit an offence under the ECICO to vote at an election knowing that he/she was not entitled to do so, the defendants still obtained their ballot papers and voted at the election, the court was told.
Also charged in the same case were Wong Ka-kin, his wife Kumiko Lee Hoi-ki, and Fung Ka-lun. They earlier each pleaded guilty to a similar voting offence, and were each sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.
So far, a total of 44 persons, including the above seven defendants, 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 10 were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail, with five awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.
James Ho Chun-fai, 46, movie projectionist, his wife Meicy Chan Mei-sze, 39, manager, and Wong Ka-hong, 30, hawker, each received a jail term of three months, while Lau Ching-ki, 40, self-employed, was jailed for two months.
The defendants were earlier each found guilty of 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).
In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Mr Jonathan Wong Kwok-ho remarked that the principle of “one man, one vote” was vital to the electoral system.
The deputy magistrate added that as no one should interfere with the election results, the defendants deserved custodial sentences.
Upon their applications, the magistrate granted Ho and Wong cash bail of $40,000 and $20,000 respectively, pending their appeals against sentences. Chan and Lau did not make any application for bail, and were sent to prison to serve their jail terms.
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 Wah Sun Building, 6-20 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.
The occupants residing at the address confirmed that they did not know the defendants, and that the defendants had never resided at the address, the court heard.
On the polling day on November 6, 2011, the defendants were each asked by an officer of the polling station to confirm if their reported residential address was accurate. Ho, Chan and Lau replied in the affirmative, while Wong said it was his old address .
Despite being reminded that one would commit an offence under the ECICO to vote at an election knowing that he/she was not entitled to do so, the defendants still obtained their ballot papers and voted at the election, the court was told.
Also charged in the same case were Wong Ka-kin, his wife Kumiko Lee Hoi-ki, and Fung Ka-lun. They earlier each pleaded guilty to a similar voting offence, and were each sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.
So far, a total of 44 persons, including the above seven defendants, 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 10 were found guilty after trial. They were given jail terms ranging from suspended sentences to one year in jail, with five awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Beney Wong, assisted by ICAC officer Beta Leung.