A notice was published in the Government Gazette today regarding Rural By-elections, with 19 Rural Representative vacancies opening up for nominations from April 2 to 17.

The by-election will return one Resident Representative (ReR) for each of nine “Existing Villages”, and one Indigenous Inhabitant Representative (IIR) for each of 10 “Indigenous Villages”.

The nine Existing Villages are Sheung Ling Pei, Tai Po, Sha Tau Kok Market (West Lower), Wo Liu Hang, Tap Mun, Shek Pik San Tsuen, Lin Fa Tei, Shui Tin Tsuen and Shan Pui Chung Hau (I). Candidates must be residents of the villages they wish to stand for and must have resided there in the six years preceding nomination.

The 10 Indigenous Villages are Yung Shue Ha, San Tong Po, Kat O, Wa Shan Tsuen, Ha Yeung, Sha Lo Tung Cheung Uk, Tai Po Mei, Ma Wan Main Street, Kwan Mun Hau and Kam Tsin Wai Tsuen. Candidates must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong and be indigenous inhabitants of and electors in the the villages they wish to stand for.

Additionally, all candidates must be Hong Kong permanent residents aged 21 or above, and must be nominated by at least five registered electors in the village they wish to stand for. No-one is allowed to stand as a candidate in more than one type of election.

Nomination forms are available from the Home Affairs Department, the New Territories District Offices and on the Rural Representative Election website. Completed nomination forms must be submitted in person to the Returning Officer concerned.

If there is more than one validly nominated candidate for the same Indigenous Village or Existing Village, a poll will be held for that village on May 17. Eligible electors will receive a polling notice that specifies the date, time and place of the poll.

A notice on all valid nominations will be published in the Government Gazette within 14 days following the nomination period. Each validly nominated candidate will be informed separately.

For enquiries, call 2152 1521.