REO to fully co-operate on improvement measures for voter registration system
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     In the light of the motion debate on the voter registration system in the Legislative Council on December 21, a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) said today (December 29) that the REO will fully co-operate with the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau on the implementation of the proposed improvement measures for the voter registration system.

     "Starting from early next year, the REO will implement sample checks to verify the registration records of electors. For an address with over a certain number of registered electors or more than a certain number of surnames in the register of electors, a 100 per cent check will be conducted by requiring the electors concerned to provide address proof so that we can follow up on the case as appropriate," the spokesman said.

     "We will also carry out sample checks territory-wide based on the target of 3 per cent to 5 per cent of all registered electors. The electors concerned are also required to submit address proof," he said.

     The REO will step up publicity measures early next year to drive home the message on honest and clean elections and to introduce the new arrangements to the public.

     The REO will issue letters to the 3.56 million registered electors in February next year reminding them to provide the REO with their updated address if their residential address has been changed.

     "We understand the public has expressed concerns about the existing voter registration system. We shall work closely with the Bureau to implement the improvement measures," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, December 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:05

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