Trio arrested for allegedly breaching ECICO by inciting others to boycott the DC Election
2023-12-10
An ICAC spokesperson today (December 10) confirmed that three persons netted by the Police in Central this morning were arrested by the ICAC for allegedly breaching section 27A of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO). The case has been handed over to the ICAC for investigation.
The arrestees were two men and a woman aged between 31 and 67. The trio allegedly incited others to boycott the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DC Election) by activity in public, which may constitute a breach of section 27A of the ECICO, namely “inciting another person not to vote or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period” in the election”.
To ensure the election be conducted in a fair, just and clean manner, the ICAC, being the government department responsible for enforcing the ECICO, will combat any conduct which might undermine and manipulate the election.
As the investigation is continuing, the ICAC would not make further comments. In accordance with the law and established procedures, upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice which will decide if prosecution should be instigated.
The ICAC wishes to remind members of the public that inciting others to boycott an election by activity in public during election period, including any form of communication to the public and the distribution or dissemination of any matter to the public, may contravene Section 27A of the ECICO. Upon conviction, the offence warrants a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $200,000.
The arrestees were two men and a woman aged between 31 and 67. The trio allegedly incited others to boycott the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DC Election) by activity in public, which may constitute a breach of section 27A of the ECICO, namely “inciting another person not to vote or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period” in the election”.
To ensure the election be conducted in a fair, just and clean manner, the ICAC, being the government department responsible for enforcing the ECICO, will combat any conduct which might undermine and manipulate the election.
As the investigation is continuing, the ICAC would not make further comments. In accordance with the law and established procedures, upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice which will decide if prosecution should be instigated.
The ICAC wishes to remind members of the public that inciting others to boycott an election by activity in public during election period, including any form of communication to the public and the distribution or dissemination of any matter to the public, may contravene Section 27A of the ECICO. Upon conviction, the offence warrants a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $200,000.