Officials are investigating suspected vote-rigging in the district council elections after it was found that electors with different surnames had listed the same residential address in constituencies won by pro-government candidates.
The investigation came as politicians from across the political spectrum demanded a review of the system to close loopholes after media reports pointed to possible electoral fraud in the polls on November 6.
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, said the Registration and Electoral Office 'will follow up cautiously' all complaints and the cases revealed in news reports.
'If there is any slightest doubt about integrity being compromised, the [office] will not hesitate to refer those cases to the police he said.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen also pledged action, saying the authorities could 'definitely find it out' if there had been any fraud. Asked if there were any loopholes in the system, he said: 'Hong Kong's electoral system is fair, open, just and transparent. Bribery in elections is rare. If there is such a case, we will follow it up.'
Tam said a review would be done before September's Legislative Council election and officials would discuss possible changes with members of the Legislative Council panel on constitutional affairs next month.
Voters who provide false information such as an incorrect principal residential address face a fine of up to HK$5,000 and a maximum of six months in jail.