Hong Kong Ordinances

ELECTIONS (CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL CONDUCT) ORDINANCE - SECT 24

Illegal conduct for candidate to incur election expenses exceeding prescribed amount

(1) A candidate engages in illegal conduct at an election if the aggregate
amount of election expenses incurred at or in connection with the election by
or on behalf of the candidate exceeds the maximum amount of election expenses
prescribed for a candidate by regulations in force under section 45.

(2) If regulations under section 45 prescribe a maximum amount of
election expenses for groups of candidates at an election at which the list
system of voting is used, each member of a group of candidates engages in
illegal conduct at the election if the aggregate amount of the
election expenses incurred at or in connection with the election by or on
behalf of the group exceeds the maximum amount of election expenses so
prescribed.

(3) In a prosecution alleging illegal conduct under this section by a
candidate, it is a defence for the candidate to prove that the election 
expenses were incurred-

   (a)  without negligence by the candidate; and

   (b)  either without the candidate's consent or in excess of an amount
        specified in an authorization under section 23.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the value of an election  donation
consisting of goods or services is taken to be an amount of election expense
incurred by or on behalf of a particular candidate or particular candidates if
the goods or services are used for the purpose of promoting the election of
the candidate or candidates or of prejudicing the election of another
candidate or other candidates.