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While officiating at the launch ceremony of the 2016 Voter Registration Campaign at Citywalk, Tsuen Wan, today (March 5), the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, appealed to members of the public and electors to register as electors and update their registered addresses by May 2.
"The Legislative Council General Election will be held in September this year. Eligible persons who have yet to register as electors need to submit new registration applications by the statutory deadline on May 2 for the current voter registration cycle, so that their registration particulars would be included in the 2016 Final Register to be released in July this year and they can vote in the Legislative Council General Election to be held on September 4," Mr Justice Fung said.
"Registered electors also need to note the important date of May 2, as amendment regulations in relation to voter registration, which seek to advance the deadline for change of particulars to align with the deadline for new registration, will come into effect in mid-March," he added.
Mr Justice Fung reminded electors who have moved to fulfil their civic responsibility by notifying the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) of any change in their residential addresses by the deadline on May 2, so as to ensure that the registered addresses in the Final Register are accurate.
Electors are also encouraged to provide their telephone numbers and email addresses to the REO, so that the department can contact them more promptly and efficiently if necessary.
"Members of the public who are not sure if they are registered as an elector, or electors who have moved but have forgotten if they have ever updated their registration addresses, may log in to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System (www.voterinfo.gov.hk) to check their own registration particulars, or make enquiries to the REO hotline," he said.
Mr Justice Fung urged members of the public to provide true and accurate information for voter registration and update of registration particulars. It is an offence for a person to give false or incorrect information for voter registration, regardless of whether the person has voted in an election.
"Following concerted efforts of the community, the number of geographical constituency electors has reached about 3.69 million - a registration rate of about 77.3 per cent. Both figures are record highs. Voter registration and voting are important civic rights. I urge everyone to participate actively and register as an elector," he said.
The launch ceremony was jointly organised by the REO and Radio Television Hong Kong. The REO also set up voter registration counters at the event venue to provide a registration service.
Forms for voter registration and updating of registration particulars are available at the REO, District Offices and the management offices of public housing estates. They can also be downloaded from the voter registration website (www.voterregistration.gov.hk).
Completed forms can be submitted by mail to the REO at 13/F, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, or by fax to 2891 1180.
Enquiries can be made on the REO hotline 2891 1001.
Ends/Saturday, March 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:34
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