Ballots for sale

Macau is such a closely knit community that it is hardly possible to behave irresponsibly out of the sight of acquaintances. So it is baffling why anyone would break the law and risk jail by selling his or her voter identity card at election time. Yet, this approach to vote-buying is a well-established part of Macau's election culture.

Asked why people take the risk, one ice-cream vendor replied that the going rate of 500 patacas per card is equal to two to three days' earnings for the average citizen.

'That's a lot of money for us,' he explained. 'Do you know how much ice cream you can buy with 500 patacas?'

Anti-graft authorities busted a vote-rigging network last week, exactly one month before the September 25 Legislative Assembly election. They arrested 18 suspects, including a ringleader, accused of offering money for voters' cards. This was reportedly a brazen bunch, encouraging voters to ask their friends, schoolmates, colleagues, parents and children to sell their voter identity cards.

Macau is striving to become an international city with world-leading casinos and a unique cultural heritage, but some of its citizens are sadly falling behind in treasuring their democratic rights. Instead of casting ballots for a legislative representative, they opt for enough money to buy 100 ice-cream cones - risking three years in jail and a criminal record.

Graft-busters have shown a strong political will to weed out corrupt practices. They have staged community events to promote a knowledge of clean campaigning practices, and urged citizens to report suspicions to the Commission Against Corruption of Macau. Afonso Chan Seak-hou, assistant commissioner against corruption, sent a sharp warning to criminals thinking about rigging the election. 'Regardless of your background, regardless of your backing, we will find you,' he said.