An elector must produce an identity document before being issued a ballot paper, but the document does not necessarily have to be a Hong Kong identity card, the Electoral Affairs Commission says.
In a statement today, it said if a staff member of a polling station is satisfied with the identity of an elector on production of any other document, they can issue a ballot paper to the elector according to the law.
However, according to the current polling procedure, a ballot paper will not be issued to an elector who can only produce a photocopy of a Hong Kong identity card, it added.
Section 50(1) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation stipulates that the Presiding Officer must not give a ballot paper to a person unless they are satisfied by inspecting that person’s identity document or any other document showing the person’s name and photograph that he or she is the person registered in the final register, whom he or she claims to be.
