Hong Kong Regulations

ELECTORAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION (ELECTORAL PROCEDURE) (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL) REGULATION - SECT 49

Form of ballot papers and order of appearance of lists or names of candidates on ballot papers

Caution: This is a past version. See the current version here.

(1) A ballot paper to be used to vote for a geographical  constituency is to
be in Form 1 in Schedule 3.

(2) A ballot paper to be used to vote for a special functional  constituency
is to be in Form 2 in Schedule 3.

(3) A ballot paper to be used to vote for an ordinary functional  constituency
is to be in Form 3(a) or 3(b) in Schedule 3, as appropriate. (L.N. 65 of 2000)

(4) The Chief Electoral Officer may modify the layout of any Form in Schedule
3 to incorporate particulars relating to candidates to be printed on a ballot
paper in accordance with the Particulars Relating to Candidates on Ballot
Papers (Legislative Council and District Councils) Regulation ( Cap 541 sub.
leg. M). (L.N. 84 of 2004; L.N. 47 of 2007)

(5) The Commission may decide-

   (a)  to have a ballot paper printed in white or in colour or colour
        pattern;

   (b)  the colour in which a ballot paper is to be printed or the colour
        pattern to be printed on a ballot paper;

   (c)  to have different types of ballot paper printed in different colours
        or with different colour patterns;

   (d)  whether or not to have a design on the back of a ballot paper;

   (e)  the design to be printed on the back of a ballot paper; or

   (f)  to have different designs printed on the back of different types of
        ballot papers.

(6) The order in which lists of candidates appear on a GC ballot  paper is to
be determined by the Returning Officer by the drawing of lots. A number is to
be allocated to each list in accordance with the result of the draw. That
number is to be printed on the ballot paper against the list of candidates. In
each list, each candidate is to be allocated a letter of the alphabet to
indicate the order of priority, beginning with the letter "a" for the
candidate ranking first in priority; and the letter so allocated is to be
printed on the ballot paper against the name of the candidate. (L.N. 147 of
1998)

(7) The order in which the names of candidates appear on an FC  ballot paper
for a functional constituency is to be determined by the Returning Officer by
the drawing of lots. (L.N. 147 of 1998)

(8) Each ordinary functional constituency is to be assigned a letter of the
alphabet by the Chief Electoral Officer and each candidate for an ordinary
functional constituency is to be allocated a number preceded by the letter so
assigned, according to the result of the draw. The letter and the number are
to be printed on the ballot paper against the name of the candidate. (L.N. 147
of 1998; L.N. 65 of 2000)

(9) A letter of the alphabet is to be allocated to each candidate for a
special functional constituency according to the result of the draw and that
letter preceded by an appropriate abbreviation for the name of the special
functional constituency is to be printed on the ballot paper against the name
of the candidate. (L.N. 147 of 1998)

(10) (Repealed L.N. 84 of 2004)

(11) A candidate may be present at the drawing of lots under this section or
be represented by a person authorized in writing by him or her.

(12) The Returning Officer must give notice to each candidate of the
arrangements for the drawing of lots under this section. In the case of a
multiple candidates list, notice need to be given only to the candidate
ranking first in priority on the list.

(13) A ballot paper is to contain the following information-

   (a)  the name of the candidate;

   (aa) the particulars specified in the Schedule to the Particulars Relating
        to Candidates on Ballot Papers (Legislative Council and District
        Councils) Regulation ( Cap 541 sub. leg. M); (L.N. 84 of 2004; L.N. 47
        of 2007)

   (b)  if the Commission so determines, the address of the candidate as shown
        on the notice of nominations; and

   (c)  the number or a letter of the alphabet allocated to the candidate or
        the list of candidates under this section.

(13A) In the case of the death or disqualification of a candidate who has been
allocated a number or a letter of the alphabet under this section, the name of
the candidate and the information under subsection

(13) relating to that candidate-

   (a)  are to be omitted from the ballot paper; or

   (b)  if printed on the ballot paper, are to be crossed out in accordance
        with section 37(2). (L.N. 65 of 2000)

(13B) The number or letter of the alphabet allocated to a candidate under this
section is not to be altered even if the information relating to another
candidate for the constituency concerned who has died or is disqualified is
omitted from the ballot paper or crossed out under subsection (13A). (L.N. 65
of 2000; L.N. 84 of 2004)

(14) A ballot paper is to have the date and description of the election
printed on the front of it.

(15) A number may be printed on the counterfoil of a ballot paper, but that
number is not to be printed or shown in any manner on the ballot paper.

(16) A notice required to be given to a candidate under subsection

(12) may be given to the election agent instead of to the candidate. (L.N. 147
of 1998)