TAXPAYERS will foot the bill for the legal battle over a bungled election for a Legco seat.
Progressive Alliance member Dr Tang Siu-tong lost the Regional Council functional constituency seat on September 4 when Mr Justice Nicholas Barnett rejected three of the ballots cast in the race. The Court of First Instance case had been brought by independent rival Ann Chiang Lai-wan after returning officer Henry Lai Wing-kun initially ruled that two of the invalid ballots had been in Dr Tang's favour, securing his 25 to 24 vote win.
Mr Justice Barnett's ruling means the result was declared a 23-23 tie. A by-election will be held to fill the seat by the end of next month.
Barrister Alan Hoo SC, yesterday told Mr Justice Barnett the Electoral Affairs Commission had agreed to cover legal costs for both sides, so taxpayers will ultimately be the ones who pay.
The cost of the case, which lasted three days, has yet to be determined.
