Transcript of ICAC Commissioner’s remarks on 2019 District Council Election
2019-10-31
Following is the transcript of remarks made by ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu at a meet-the-media session today (October 31):
With the District Council Election approaching, the ICAC would like to reiterate to the community that Hong Kong has all along had a very good election culture. The ICAC has always strived to uphold clean elections. In the past, public elections had been conducted in a relatively clean, fair and orderly manner.
In this difficult time, Hong Kong society is facing unprecedented challenges. In view of the social incidents in recent months, the public may have doubts on whether the integrity of the District Council Election would be affected by the social unrest and disruptive acts caused by those with opposing views.
Despite all the challenges, the ICAC would remain dedicated to safeguard clean and fair elections. All the election-related complaints and referrals received by the ICAC would be pursued in strict accordance with the law, and in a professional and serious manner. The ICAC will continue to maintain close liaisons with related government bodies, including the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Electoral Affairs Commission, Registration and Electoral Office, and the Police as well, so as to ensure that the upcoming District Council Election will be run in a clean and fair manner.
As of today (October 31), the ICAC has received 77 complaints in relation to the upcoming District Council Election, in which 76 are pursuable. The complaints mainly involve:
- Using force or duress against candidates [28 in total]
- Publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate [18 in total]
- Bribing electors [17 in total]
According to the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, using force or duress against a candidate obstructing electors from voting; engaging in deceptive behaviours to obstruct or prevent others from voting; bribing electors; and publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate at an election might constitute breaches of the electoral law.
The ICAC calls on all candidates, their election agents and helpers, and members of the public to uphold a clean and fair election and avoid breaching the electoral law inadvertently.
On the education front, the ICAC will continue to carry out its ongoing publicity and education campaigns to strengthen public awareness on clean election.
With the District Council Election approaching, the ICAC would like to reiterate to the community that Hong Kong has all along had a very good election culture. The ICAC has always strived to uphold clean elections. In the past, public elections had been conducted in a relatively clean, fair and orderly manner.
In this difficult time, Hong Kong society is facing unprecedented challenges. In view of the social incidents in recent months, the public may have doubts on whether the integrity of the District Council Election would be affected by the social unrest and disruptive acts caused by those with opposing views.
Despite all the challenges, the ICAC would remain dedicated to safeguard clean and fair elections. All the election-related complaints and referrals received by the ICAC would be pursued in strict accordance with the law, and in a professional and serious manner. The ICAC will continue to maintain close liaisons with related government bodies, including the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Electoral Affairs Commission, Registration and Electoral Office, and the Police as well, so as to ensure that the upcoming District Council Election will be run in a clean and fair manner.
As of today (October 31), the ICAC has received 77 complaints in relation to the upcoming District Council Election, in which 76 are pursuable. The complaints mainly involve:
- Using force or duress against candidates [28 in total]
- Publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate [18 in total]
- Bribing electors [17 in total]
According to the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, using force or duress against a candidate obstructing electors from voting; engaging in deceptive behaviours to obstruct or prevent others from voting; bribing electors; and publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate at an election might constitute breaches of the electoral law.
The ICAC calls on all candidates, their election agents and helpers, and members of the public to uphold a clean and fair election and avoid breaching the electoral law inadvertently.
On the education front, the ICAC will continue to carry out its ongoing publicity and education campaigns to strengthen public awareness on clean election.