Voter addresses to be randomly checked

March 19, 2012

Random address checks will be conducted on new electors in the voter registration campaign from March 31.
 
Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam said today the Government will randomly require newly-registered voters to submit proof of their address.
 
“I believe to balance this with the newly introduced measures by the Registration & Electoral Office - that is to have a sample check of the applications we will be receiving from new applicants - I think that is a good balance of all interests involved.”
 
Mr Tam said it is not the right time to introduce new penalties on voters forgetting to inform the Government of address changes. The Government has issued 3.5 million letters to voters to check their addresses. So far, 60,000 have been returned.
 
Mr Tam urged the public, especially young people, to register to vote.