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The Director of Education, Mrs Helen C P Lai Yu, has reviewed the situation and consulted the two independent returning officers, Mr Teng Chong-tai and Ms Kwok Hiu-chong, who witnessed yesterday's vote counting. In the presence of the candidates and 'representatives of their nominating education organisations, the Director of Education concluded that the voting return form in question was null and void.
This form was received after the deadline stipulated in the letter issued to all chairpersons of 112 education organisations on March 27, 1996. This stated that the completed voting return form should be returned to reach the Education Department before noon on Wednesday, April 24, 1996 and that voting return forms received after the deadline would not be considered.
The delay in returning this form had been due to a misunderstanding in a verbal exchange between a voting organisation and the Education Department over whether the deadline for returns could be extended.
over this unfortunate The Director of Education expressed regret over misunderstanding. She added that the experience gained from this election process would be taken into account in revising procedures for the future. "My prime concern is for fairness in the election and credibility of the Council," Mrs Yu said.
Mr Hui received six votes and Mr Tse Kar-cheung five.
Both candidates and their nominating organisations respected the decision.
End
54 prisoners pass public examinations
Fifty-four prisoners from Shek Pik Prison today (Friday) received certificates for passing public examinations.
Some of the group took courses run by the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Management Association. Some sat the Certificate of Education Examination, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examination, City and Guilds of London Institute and Pitman Examination.
Seven prisoners have achieved distinction in various examinations.