The ICAC arrested three more for Internet reprinting of posts inciting others to vote in vain in the Legislative Council election

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) arrested 3 people today (9th) for reprinting on the Internet a post inciting to vote for a false vote, in violation of section 27A of the "Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance", that is, "during the election period to use public activities to incite another person not to vote Or vote invalid".

The ICAC also took enforcement actions last month and arrested 3 other persons for the crime. A total of 6 people have been arrested so far. The ICAC has also been issued warrants by magistrates to arrest the "exiled" former Legislative Council member Xu Zhifeng and former district councillors. Qiu Wenjun, suspected of displaying posts on his personal social media pages, inciting to vote in vain and not to vote.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption today (8th) sued a coach, a member and a former member of the Hong Kong Women’s Handball Team, accusing them of conspiracy to defraud the Hong Kong Sports Institute, resulting in a government training subsidy of 28,000 yuan issued by the sports institute.

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The three persons arrested by the ICAC today are two men and one woman, aged between 22 and 57. They are suspected of violating section 27A of the Ordinance during the 2021 Legislative Council General Election (Legislative Council Election). The Internet reproduced posts that incited the public to vote in vain in the Legislative Council election.

The ICAC seized several mobile phones during the operation, and all the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the ICAC does not rule out further enforcement actions.

According to established procedures, after the ICAC completes the investigation, it will submit the investigation results to the Department of Justice for legal advice to decide whether to prosecute.

The nomination period for the Legislative Council election began on October 30. According to the Ordinance, from that day to the polling day (i.e. December 19) is defined as the "election period" for this election.

The Ordinance stipulates that "public activities" include any form of communication to the public, as well as the distribution or dissemination of any materials to the public.

The "Regulations" apply to all conduct related to elections, regardless of whether the conduct is performed in Hong Kong or elsewhere.

Anyone who commits an offence under Article 27A of the Ordinance is liable to a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 yuan upon conviction.

The ICAC urges citizens to strictly abide by laws and regulations, refrain from participating in illegal appeals or reprinting relevant illegal content, and jointly maintain the integrity and fairness of the election.

The ICAC will continue to strictly enforce the law and crack down on the manipulation or sabotage of elections to ensure that the elections are fair and just.

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