One more arrested by ICAC for allegedly breaching ECICO by inciting others to cast invalid vote and not to vote at DC Election
2023-12-10
The ICAC further arrested a woman this afternoon (December 10) for allegedly reposting on an online social media page a post which incited others to boycott the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DC Election) during the election period.
The arrestee, a clerk aged 51, had allegedly reposted on a social media platform a post which incited others not to vote at the DC Election during the election period. She allegedly called on others to write their names and identity card numbers on the ballot papers, hence rendering the ballot papers invalid. The ICAC will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice on whether a prosecution should be instigated.
The ICAC investigation revealed that the online post reposted by the arrestee was originally published by disqualified and former District Councillor Leos Lee Man-ho on his personal social media page during the election period. As Lee had already left Hong Kong, the ICAC will apply to the court for a warrant for his arrest.
To ensure the election be conducted in a fair, just and clean manner, the ICAC, being the government department responsible for enforcing the the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), will combat any conduct which might undermine and manipulate the election.
The ECICO has extraterritorial effect and applies to all conduct concerning an election, be it engaged in within Hong Kong or elsewhere.
The ICAC wishes to remind members of the public that inciting others to boycott or to cast invalid votes in an election contravenes Section 27A of the ECICO. Upon conviction, the offence warrants a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $200,000. The ICAC urges members of the public to abide by the law and not to engage in illegal appeals or repost any unlawful contents in order to uphold a fair and clean election.
The arrestee, a clerk aged 51, had allegedly reposted on a social media platform a post which incited others not to vote at the DC Election during the election period. She allegedly called on others to write their names and identity card numbers on the ballot papers, hence rendering the ballot papers invalid. The ICAC will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice on whether a prosecution should be instigated.
The ICAC investigation revealed that the online post reposted by the arrestee was originally published by disqualified and former District Councillor Leos Lee Man-ho on his personal social media page during the election period. As Lee had already left Hong Kong, the ICAC will apply to the court for a warrant for his arrest.
To ensure the election be conducted in a fair, just and clean manner, the ICAC, being the government department responsible for enforcing the the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO), will combat any conduct which might undermine and manipulate the election.
The ECICO has extraterritorial effect and applies to all conduct concerning an election, be it engaged in within Hong Kong or elsewhere.
The ICAC wishes to remind members of the public that inciting others to boycott or to cast invalid votes in an election contravenes Section 27A of the ECICO. Upon conviction, the offence warrants a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $200,000. The ICAC urges members of the public to abide by the law and not to engage in illegal appeals or repost any unlawful contents in order to uphold a fair and clean election.