Four charged for alleged bribes-for-votes in 2018 LegCo By-election
2019-10-8
Two volunteers of a resident association in Sham Shui Po have been charged by the ICAC today (October 8) for their alleged roles in offering “lucky bags” to induce fellow residents to vote for a particular candidate at the 2018 Legislative Council (LegCo) By-election, while two fellow residents were charged for allegedly agreeing to accept the “lucky bags” for voting for the candidate.
Deng Yimei, 42, and Wong Wai-ha, 52, both housewives and voluntary helpers of Friends of Hoi Lai Society (FHL), jointly face one count of conspiracy to engage in corrupt conduct at an election by offering an advantage to others, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Chan Wai-kuen, 50, housewife, and Li Mau, 50, unemployed, each faces one count of engaging in corrupt conduct at an election by accepting an advantage as an inducement to vote, contrary to Sections 11(1)(e) and 11(3) of the ECICO.
The defendants will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy on Thursday (October 10) for plea.
The 2018 LegCo By-election for the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency (the By-election), held on March 11, 2018, was contested by three candidates. The nomination period ran from January 16 to 29, 2018.
At the material time, the defendants were residents of Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon which fell within the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency. All of them were registered voters. Deng and Wong were also voluntary helpers of FHL – a resident association in Hoi Lai Estate.
The conspiracy charge alleges that between February 28 and March 11, 2018, Deng and Wong, without reasonable excuse, conspired together and with other persons unknown to engage in corrupt conduct at the By-election by offering “lucky bags” to residents of Hoi Lai Estate who had the right to vote in the By-election as inducements for them to vote for a particular candidate.
It is alleged that each “lucky bag” contains daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100.
Another charge alleges that between March 5 and 11, 2018, Chan, without reasonable excuse, engaged in corrupt conduct at the By-election by agreeing to accept a “lucky bag” containing some daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100 as an inducement for her to vote for that particular candidate.
The remaining charge alleges that during the same period, Li, without reasonable excuse, engaged in corrupt conduct at the By-election by agreeing to accept a “lucky bag” containing some unknown gifts worth approximately $100 as an inducement for him to vote for that particular candidate.
All defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance on Thursday.
The Registration and Electoral Office has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Deng Yimei, 42, and Wong Wai-ha, 52, both housewives and voluntary helpers of Friends of Hoi Lai Society (FHL), jointly face one count of conspiracy to engage in corrupt conduct at an election by offering an advantage to others, contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.
Chan Wai-kuen, 50, housewife, and Li Mau, 50, unemployed, each faces one count of engaging in corrupt conduct at an election by accepting an advantage as an inducement to vote, contrary to Sections 11(1)(e) and 11(3) of the ECICO.
The defendants will appear at the West Kowloon Magistracy on Thursday (October 10) for plea.
The 2018 LegCo By-election for the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency (the By-election), held on March 11, 2018, was contested by three candidates. The nomination period ran from January 16 to 29, 2018.
At the material time, the defendants were residents of Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon which fell within the Kowloon West Geographical Constituency. All of them were registered voters. Deng and Wong were also voluntary helpers of FHL – a resident association in Hoi Lai Estate.
The conspiracy charge alleges that between February 28 and March 11, 2018, Deng and Wong, without reasonable excuse, conspired together and with other persons unknown to engage in corrupt conduct at the By-election by offering “lucky bags” to residents of Hoi Lai Estate who had the right to vote in the By-election as inducements for them to vote for a particular candidate.
It is alleged that each “lucky bag” contains daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100.
Another charge alleges that between March 5 and 11, 2018, Chan, without reasonable excuse, engaged in corrupt conduct at the By-election by agreeing to accept a “lucky bag” containing some daily necessities and food items worth approximately $100 as an inducement for her to vote for that particular candidate.
The remaining charge alleges that during the same period, Li, without reasonable excuse, engaged in corrupt conduct at the By-election by agreeing to accept a “lucky bag” containing some unknown gifts worth approximately $100 as an inducement for him to vote for that particular candidate.
All defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance on Thursday.
The Registration and Electoral Office has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.