專員隨筆
Commissioner Online
Say no to corrupt acts, Support clean election

The 2019 District Council (DC) Election will take place this Sunday. Amidst continued protests, confrontations and violent incidents in recent months, the election faces unprecedented challenges. The ICAC, being one of the related law enforcement authorities, will pursue all complaints in strict accordance with the law and in a serious and professional manner. The Commission is well prepared and is committed to keeping the election clean, just and fair.

As at November 21, the ICAC has received 300 complaints in relation to the DC Election, of which 287 are pursuable. The complaints mainly concern:

• Publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate (90 in total);
• Using force or duress against candidates (87 in total);
• Bribing electors or others at elections (47 in total);
• Corrupt conduct with respect to voting at elections (37 in total)

It has come to our attention that complaints in relation to using force or duress against candidates amounted to 87. This is unprecedented in previous elections. We also noted from various social media platforms that there were worries about the use of force, duress or deceptive means to obstruct electors to vote. Others were concerned about electors being bribed or ballot papers being destroyed or defaced.

I wish to remind members of the public that the above behaviours constitute offences under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance which warrant a maximum penalty of a seven-year imprisonment and a fine of $500,000.

Meanwhile, up until November 21, the ICAC has received 90 complaints in relation to publishing false or misleading statements about a candidate which, upon conviction, will warrant a maximum penalty of a three-year jail term and a fine of $200,000. We wish to assure that all complaints from the public as well as those referred by other law enforcement authorities will be pursued in accordance with the law and in a professional and serious manner.

On the educational front, our work commenced as early as the beginning of the year. Through briefings on the electoral law and publicity initiatives including publications and other activities, the clean election message was disseminated to candidates, their helpers and electors.

Hong Kong has all along enjoyed a clean election culture. Public elections in the past were conducted in a clean, fair and orderly manner. The upcoming DC Election is a very important platform for over 4.13 million registered voters to elect their representatives through an honest and peaceful manner.

There were individuals who suggested various means in a bid to intervene the election, while some citizens were concerned if the election could be conducted smoothly in view of all the violent and destructive acts. Despite all these challenges and worries, the ICAC's determination to uphold an honest and fair election remains unwavering.

We will also continue to maintain close liaison with related government bodies, including the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Electoral Affairs Commission, Registration and Electoral Office, and the Police.

Once again, the ICAC urges all candidates, election agents, helpers, electors, as well as members of the public to say no to corrupt and improper acts in the upcoming election. Treasure your right to vote and together let's uphold Hong Kong's clean election culture.