Poll scandal fails to cause a surprise
Few in Macau were shocked over the vote-buying network revealed last Thursday, which involved 485 suspects and 415 illegally retained voter registration cards.
The case is just one of 10 election-related investigations being undertaken by the Macau Commission Against Corruption. Four hundred reports have been made to the commission by the public.
One observer said the revelations only demonstrated Macau's willpower to expose corrupt election practices.
'Macau cannot let its election culture look too ugly in the face of the central government and in comparison to its brother, Hong Kong,' said Larry So Man-yum, a Macau political commentator.
The vote-buying method in Macau works by retaining voter registration cards. A standard price of 500 patacas is offered as down payment. Bribed voters receive the payment upon the understanding that they will vote for a particular candidate. On election day, shuttle buses take groups of voters to polling stations.
On the bus, registration cards are returned. Once the voters leave the polling station, another 500 patacas would be paid. Sometimes, a dinner coupon is given as a bonus.
'In the 1996 election, vote-buying was so blatant that it was unacceptable,' Mr So said. 'Entering the polling station was like buying a ticket to go to a concert. Anyone with a voter registration card was offered 500 patacas.'
