Candidate of Legco By-election charged with failing to lodge election return
2019-3-13
A candidate of the 2018 Legislative Council (Legco) By-election has been charged by the ICAC today (March 13) with failing to lodge an election return as required by the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO).
Johnny Ma Kam-chuen, 65, faces a charge of failing to lodge an election return as required under Section 37 of the ECICO, contrary to Section 38 of the ECICO.
The defendant will appear at the Eastern Magistracy on Friday (March 15) for plea.
The case arose from a referral by the Registration and Electoral Office (REO). Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was a candidate of the 2018 Legco By-election for the Hong Kong Island Geographical Constituency (HKIGC). On January 29, 2018, the defendant submitted his nomination form to the Returning Officer of HKIGC, but his nomination was subsequently ruled invalid.
The Legco By-election was held on March 11, 2018, and its result was gazetted on March 16, 2018. The statutory deadline for submission of the election return to the REO was May 15, 2018.
The charge alleges that on May 15, 2018, the defendant, being a candidate of the 2018 Legco By-election for HKIGC, failed to lodge an election return as required under Section 37(IB) and (IC) of the ECICO.
The REO has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Friday.
Johnny Ma Kam-chuen, 65, faces a charge of failing to lodge an election return as required under Section 37 of the ECICO, contrary to Section 38 of the ECICO.
The defendant will appear at the Eastern Magistracy on Friday (March 15) for plea.
The case arose from a referral by the Registration and Electoral Office (REO). Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
At the material time, the defendant was a candidate of the 2018 Legco By-election for the Hong Kong Island Geographical Constituency (HKIGC). On January 29, 2018, the defendant submitted his nomination form to the Returning Officer of HKIGC, but his nomination was subsequently ruled invalid.
The Legco By-election was held on March 11, 2018, and its result was gazetted on March 16, 2018. The statutory deadline for submission of the election return to the REO was May 15, 2018.
The charge alleges that on May 15, 2018, the defendant, being a candidate of the 2018 Legco By-election for HKIGC, failed to lodge an election return as required under Section 37(IB) and (IC) of the ECICO.
The REO has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Friday.