Kowloon City Magistracy has sentenced three registered electors to two months’ jail for vote-rigging during the 2011 District Council Election, the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced today.

Deputy Magistrate Jonathan Wong said the offences committed by the defendants had undermined the credibility of a sound electoral system, warranting custodial sentences.

On July 16, 2011, the defendants submitted their applications for registration as electors to the Registration & Electoral Office.

The defendants stated a flat in Wah Sun Building, 6-20 Yin Chong Street, Mongkok was their only or principal residential address.

Three genuine occupants residing at the address confirmed they did not know the defendants and the defendants had never resided at the address.

On the November 6, 2011, polling day the defendants were reminded it would be an offence to vote at an election knowing they were not entitled to do so, but the trio still obtained ballot papers and voted.