Hong Kong Regulations

ELECTORAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION (ELECTORAL PROCEDURE) (DISTRICT COUNCILS) REGULATION - SECT 52

Form of ballot paper and order of appearance of names of candidates on ballot papers

(Past version on 01/08/1999).

(1) A ballot paper is to be in the form prescribed in Schedule 2.

(1A) The Chief Electoral Officer may modify the layout of the form of a
ballot paper prescribed in Schedule 2 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. 79 of 2007)

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

   (d)  the design to be printed on the back of a ballot paper.

(3) The Commission may assign a code for each constituency. The code is to be
printed on the front of a ballot paper.

(4) The order in which the names of candidates appear on a ballot  paper is to
be determined by the Returning Officer by the drawing of lots. A number is to
be allocated to each candidate according to the result of the draw.

(5) 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.

(6) The Returning Officer must give notice to each candidate of the
arrangements for the drawing of lots under this section.

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

   (a)  the name of the candidate;

   (aa) insofar as may be applicable to the candidate, 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. 79 of 2007)

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

   (c)  the number allocated to the candidate under this section.

(8) In the case of death or disqualification of a candidate who has been
allocated a number under this section, the name of the candidate and the
information under subsection (7) 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 40(2).

(9) The number 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 (8).

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

(11) 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.

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

(6) may be given to the election agent instead of the candidate.