2
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1994
ΤΟ
* A "RESTRICTED CANVASSING AREA SCHEME" WILL BE INTRODUCED
REGULATE CANVASSING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE POLLING STATIONS ON POLLING DAY. THIS IS TO MAINTAIN FREE AND SAFE PASSAGE FOR ELECTORS AND TO ALLOW CANDIDATES A FAIR CHANCE OF PROMOTING THEMSELVES.
*
14
DETAILED EXPLANATION ON
ELECTION EXPENSES, DONATIONS
AND
THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES
ORDINANCE.
BY THE COMMISSION
A DEDICATED COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE SET UP TO DEAL WITH ALL COMPLAINTS PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY. THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES THE THREE COMMISSION DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, JUDGE WESLEY WONG.
MEMBERS AND
VIEWS FROM
ALL
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMISSTON RECEIVES QUARTERS, SO THAT IT CAN MAKE A BALANCED DECISION ON ITS FINAL GUIDELINES, MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
HIGHER EXPENSE LIMIT FOR DB ELECTION CANDIDATES * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT OF ELECTION EXPENSES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR FROM $30,000 TO $60,000, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE MAXIMUM SCALE OF ELECTION EXPENSES (DISTRICT BOARDS) ORDER 1994 UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE WILL BE GAZETTED NEXT WEEK TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CHANGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW CEILING WOULD ENABLE CANDIDATES то RUN AN EFFECTIVE ELECTION CAMPAIGN ON THE ONE HAND, AND ENSURE THAT THE MORE WELL-OFF CANDIDATES WOULD NOT ENJOY AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE ON THE OTHER.
THE CURRENT EXPENSE LIMIT OF $30,000 FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WAS SET IN 1990 AND WAS BASED ON VARIOUS BASIC EXPENDITURE ITEMS THAT WERE COMMONLY EMPLOYED BY CANDIDATES IN THEIR CAMPAIGNING ACTIVITIES.
THESE INCLUDED EMPLOYMENT OF ELECTION AGENTS, MEALS AND DRINKS FOR HELPERS, PRINTING OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION OF BANNERS, PLACARDS AND POSTERS.
GONE
UP
THE
"SINCE THEN, THE COSTS FOR THESE ITEMS HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY AND AS ELECTIONS BECOME MORE KEENLY CONTESTED, EXPENDITURE ITEMS USED BY CANDIDATES IN FUTURE ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN BOTH VARIETY AND QUANTITY,
POPULAR
"THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE CONSIDERS THAT INCREASINGLY CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES AND ITEMS SUCH AS PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLICITY BOARDS, T-SHIRTS AND ARMBANDS FOR ELECTION HELPERS, AGENT ID CARDS, AS WELL AS MAILING AND TRAVELLING EXPENSES SHOULD ALSO BE FACTORED IN THE CALCULATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION EXPENSE LIMIT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE SAID