The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) logo is seen in Hong Kong at its headquarters building on March 30, 2012. (AARON TAM / AFP)
HONG KONG – The Independent Commission Against Corruption charged four persons on Wednesday with violating the elections ordinance for reposting on social media posts that incited others to cast blank votes or not to vote during the 2021 Legislative Council elections.
In a statement, the ICAC said it filed charges against physiotherapist Wong Chi-yan, 42; graphic designer Wu Hong-ki, 44; financial dealer Kwok Kin-chiu, 29; and 58-year-old Yick Mabel, unemployed.
Each of them faces one count of engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote, or to cast an invalid vote, by activity in public during an election period, a violation under Section 27A of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, the ICAC said
Each of them faces one count of engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote, or to cast an invalid vote, by activity in public during an election period, a violation under Section 27A of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, the ICAC said.
ALSO READ: ICAC charges duo over blank vote call during LegCo polls
They were released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance in the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday for plea, it added.
According to the ICAC, Wong and Yick reposted a post from a social media page which incited others to cast blank votes.
Wu allegedly also reposted from a different social media page a post that incited others not to vote while Kwok allegedly had a post which also incited others to skip voting.
READ MORE: Clearing cross-border partnership barriers
The ECICO applies to all conduct concerning elections in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, whether the acts were committed in Hong Kong or elsewhere. Any person who violates Section 27A of the ECICO is liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of a three-year imprisonment and a fine of HK$200,000 ($25,480), the ICAC said.