EAC expresses concern and regret over intimidation against Returning Officers
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The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) noticed that recently there were posts on the internet which threatened Returning Officers and that a Returning Officer was suspected to be the victim of a criminal intimidation case. The EAC expressed deep concern and regret over these acts.
The EAC appreciates that there are different views in the community towards the decisions of Returning Officers to invalidate the nominations of certain candidates of the Legislative Council Election. However, it is necessary for the public to understand that the Returning Officers acted entirely in accordance with the requirements under the law to decide whether the nominations are valid or not. Taking into account all the information, the Returning Officers of various geographical constituencies and functional constituencies decided on the validity of the nominations according to the law and legal advice. They also recorded the relevant information, including the decision of the Returning Officer and the reasons concerned, in the nomination forms which are open for public inspection.
Under the current electoral legislation, a mechanism is in place to deal with problems which may arise in the course of the election. People who are discontent with the decisions of the Returning Officers should deal with the disagreements through the legal procedures. Resorting to intimidation or violent acts would only hurt the electoral system and undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong. The EAC trusts that the relevant enforcement agency would follow up as appropriate the recent cases in which criminal acts were suspected to be involved.
Ends/Sunday, August 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:22
Issued at HKT 18:22
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