NOMINATION procedures for direct elections should be tightened to bar last-minute swapping of nomination forms among candidates, it has been proposed.
According to revised guidelines published yesterday by the Boundary and Election Commission, each correction on the nomination paper will have to be undersigned by all or at least a sufficient number of subscribers or the returning officer will reject the nomination paper.
A spokesman said the commission had yet to finalise what was meant by sufficient number. The public could air views on the new requirement before the end of this month.
He said the change was a response to the district board elections in September when two nominees in Tsuen Wan swapped their forms to contest another constituency.
'The new measure could prevent subscribers from being transferred from one candidate to another without their knowledge,' he said.
Other changes in the nomination procedure included requiring the candidates to state their occupation.