In response to media enquiries on online rumours about polling, counting and voter turnout for the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE), the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) reiterates that public elections in Hong Kong have been held in an open, fair and honest manner, and gives the following reply today (November 26):
 
Arrangements on the issue of ballot papers

     On arrival at the polling station, electors must show to the polling staff at the ballot paper issuing desk the original of their Hong Kong identity card or other specified alternative documents. The polling staff on duty will check the elector’s name and identity card number on the Hong Kong identity card against the entries on the copy of register of electors. Ballot papers will be issued after re-checking of the information by another polling staff. The relevant procedures are stringent.
 
Arrangements on counting of ballot papers

     Counting of votes is conducted in an open and transparent environment, under public scrutiny.
 
     Once the poll closes, candidates, their election agents and polling agents may stay in the polling station to observe the process of locking of ballot boxes, and the conversion of polling stations into counting stations. They can observe the entire counting process at the counting station, which includes the breaking of seals on the ballot boxes, the sorting, separation and counting of ballot papers, the counting of votes recorded on the valid ballot papers and the determination by Presiding Officers (PROs) on the validity of questionable ballot papers. They may also copy what is recorded on the ballot paper account if needed. Other than that, members of the public and reporters are also able to watch the counting process at designated areas inside the counting stations.
 
     Ballot paper below will be classified as questionable ballot paper during the count:
 

1. it has any writing or mark by which the elector can possibly be identified;
2. it is not marked in accordance with section 58(2) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (District Councils) Regulation, i.e. not marked by affixing the chop to give a single tick in the circle opposite the name of the candidate of the elector’s choice on the ballot paper, and the elector’s intention is unclear;
3. it is substantially mutilated;
4. it is void for uncertainty.

 
     According to Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (District Councils) Regulation (Cap. 541F) (EAC (EP) (DC) Reg) section 79(2), the validity of all questionable ballot papers shall be decided by the PRO. The PRO will invite the candidates and their agents present to participate in the determination process of questionable ballot paper. A candidate, an election agent or a counting agent, may inspect and make representations concerning the determination of the validity of any questionable ballot papers. The PRO will then consider their representations and make his/her final decision on the validity of the questionable ballot paper according section 80 of the EAC (EP) (DC) Reg.
 
     According to section 80A and 80B of the EAC (EP) (DC) Reg, PRO may decide whether a re-count of the votes of the counting stations is necessary. If a candidate or his/her agent requests to re-count, such a request shall be made to the PRO, and he/she will decide whether the request should be acceded to. If he/she decides that such a re-count is reasonable in the circumstances, a re-count will be conducted.
 
     If the candidates and the electors of the relevant constituency are not satisfied with the decisions made by PRO on questionable ballot papers and re-count, they can make election petitions to query the result of the election, which will be determined by the court. The court will determine whether a person is duly elected based on the actual situation.
 
     There are 615 ordinary polling stations in the DCOE, including some small polling stations (polling stations with less than 200 electors). In addition, dedicated polling stations for registered electors who are imprisoned or held in custody by the law enforcement agencies on polling day, and special polling stations (accessible to electors who are wheelchair users or have difficulty in walking) are set up in the election.
 
     The votes cast at the small polling stations and special polling stations will not be counted therein. Under police escort, polling staff will deliver the locked and sealed ballot boxes and other relevant electoral documents to the respective main counting stations for count. In addition, votes cast at dedicated polling stations will not be counted therein. The ballot boxes of the dedicated polling stations, which may contain ballot papers of electors from different constituencies all over Hong Kong, will be first transported to the ballot paper sorting stations for sorting. After sorting of ballot papers according to the relevant constituencies, the ballot papers will then be delivered to the respective main counting station for mixing with other ballot papers cast therein before counting to protect the secrecy of votes. 
 
Voter turnout

     There are online rumours that the voter turnout in an individual constituency is greater than the number of registered electors of the constituency, and the number of invalid ballot papers is about 1.6 million. The Registration and Electoral Office stresses that the rumours are incorrect. Records show that total number of registered electors in 2019 is 4,132,977. A total of 2,943,842 registered electors had cast their votes in the election while the total number of votes received by all candidates is 2,931,745. The counting results of each constituency were posted at the counting stations, members of the public can also refer to the REO's press release（www.elections.gov.hk/dc2019/chi/press.html?1574743553101）and the relevant figures listed on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

     Hong Kong Customs has mounted an operation codenamed "Sunny" since July this year to combat smuggling of illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products into Hong Kong. Customs officers conducted the second phase of the enforcement operation and mounted an operation codenamed "Sunny II" across the territory from October 31 to today (November 26). In the second phase operation, about 1 million suspected illicit HNB products with an estimated market value of about $3 million and a duty potential of about $2 million were seized. Twenty-four persons were arrested.

     During the operation, Customs officers seized the above-mentioned suspected illicit HNB products at Hong Kong International Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok and Kwun Tong respectively. Six storage and distribution centres were smashed. Sixteen men and eight women, aged between 17 and 57, were also arrested. Customs believes that an HNB products smuggling syndicate was smashed.

     In the first phase of the operation, Customs seized about 1.44 million suspected illicit HNB product with an estimated market value of about $4.3 million and a duty potential of about $2.8 million were seized. Eight storage and distribution centres were smashed and 34 persons were arrested.

     A total of about 2.44 million suspected illicit HNB products with an estimated market value of about $7.3 million and a duty potential of about $4.8 million were seized so far for the operation. Fifty-eight persons were arrested.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue taking stringent enforcement action against illicit cigarette activities of different kinds.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any HNB products containing tobacco in content is also dutiable goods subject to the control of the DCO. Any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may call the Customs' hotline at 2815 7711 to enquire whether a specific tobacco or smoking product is under the regulation of the DCO. They may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs' 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, together with the Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene), Miss Diane Wong; the Acting Deputy Director of Fire Services, Mr Yeung Yan-kin; the Deputy Commissioner for Transport (Transport Services and Management), Ms Macella Lee; the Deputy Director of Highways, Mr Ng Wai-keung; and the Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (Trading Services), Mr Patrick Cheung, held an inter-departmental press conference this afternoon (November 26). Following is the transcript of remarks of the press conference:
     
Reporter: Secretary, how would you expect the traffic condition around the tunnel to be like tomorrow morning? Are we going to be seeing even more congestion, like worse congestion than we are used to, tomorrow? And wouldn’t a partial reopening, for example for bus services first, be, well, better so people can gradually ease into the situation? A second question: Is there really very limited things that the Government can do to prevent the tunnel from being blocked again? Like, will officers, will police officers, be stationed in the area, or are there any other measures to ensure that traffic around the tunnel will be smooth? And with roads around the PolyU campus reopening, the tunnel is reopening tomorrow, is the Police going to change its operation around the campus, or is it just going to be as usual, a waiting game basically?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: For the first question, our plan is to re-open the tunnel at 5 o’clock in the morning tomorrow. So, we expect traffic to build up in the course of the day. As the Deputy Commissioner of Transport just stressed, we call on motorists to exercise self-restraint and particularly trying to be patient. We don’t expect any worsening in the traffic condition because Hung Hom tunnel used to be a pretty smooth sort of tunnel, but still because after a fortnight’s time, things may change a little bit. So, we are watching the situation closely, monitoring the situation closely. But as I said, co-operation is the key on all sides, both Government and also the motorists. As for the second question, certainly, Police will keep an eye on the tunnel after it’s re-opened. The Police has also already made an assessment and considered it is safe to reopen tomorrow morning. We take a comprehensive assessment on the spot, on the ground.
 
     Finally, as far as police tactics with regard to the campus situation in Polytechnic University, the Police will continue to adopt a patient, a persuasive and also a flexible approach in handling the issue – a generally soft approach in handling this. Our most important objective is to provide medical services to those still inside and are really in need, so that’s why the Polytechnic University has already set up their own safety team and has already been in the campus since, I think, 10.30 today. At the same time, the Government has also lined up another similar safety team comprising primarily Hospital Authority staff, our clinical psychologists, our Fire Services colleagues as well as social workers and supporting staff. We are ready to help if necessary. Our objective is really to use persuasive approach and patience to really appeal to them to come out for their own safety’s sake. OK? We hope the whole thing will end peacefully. The Police stress time and again that a peaceful approach, a flexible approach and a human approach is adopted in tackling the issue.
 
Reporter: Why full opening now but not partial opening?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: You mean the tunnel? Well, the reason is very simple. Originally we thought that it would take a little time for the toll booths to be restored. But thanks to the amazing efforts of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Highways Department, Transport Department – my colleagues around me today, we’ve really made a miracle come true. We managed to get all the electronic gadgets replaced within, say, 24 hours. So, now that we’ve got all the equipment ready, all the gear ready, we should not wait any longer. In other words, the toll booths will also operate in tandem, largely, with the tunnel itself. All right? So it is perfect timing. It’s really a very satisfactory solution to the problem.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

    

     â€‹To commemorate the life and achievements of Professor Jao Tsung-i, the master of Chinese studies, an exhibition entitled "The Story of Jao Tsung-i" will commence tomorrow (November 27) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The exhibition will look back at the academic and artistic achievements of Professor Jao; showcase the valuable cultural wealth he left for Hong Kong, the country and the world; and reflect the ever-flourishing Chinese culture.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (November 26), the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that by presenting Professor Jao's academic achievements, artworks, creative writings and literature, the exhibition will showcase Professor Jao's life in various aspects, so as to enhance the public's understanding of Professor Jao and help people learn about his rigorous scholarship and his dedication to promoting Chinese culture around the world.
 
     Professor Jao was a sinologist of international renown and highly esteemed for his knowledge spanning a wide range of humanities subjects going back to ancient times, from ancient history, regional history, oracle bone inscriptions, bamboo slips and silk manuscripts, bibliographic research, the Song of Chu ancient anthology, Dunhuang studies, the history of religions and archaeology to Chinese literature. His inspirational insights made him one of the most influential masters of Chinese studies in a contemporary context.
 
     Through more than 200 items on display, including snapshots of his daily life, personal letters, artworks, academic studies and other archival materials, visitors will be able to see how a Hong Kong-based scholar became a world-renowned master of Chinese studies through lifelong dedication.
 
     Other officiating guests included Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Mr Luo Jiang; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Director of the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Lee Chack-fan; the Founding President of the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole Fan Club, Dr Simon Suen; the Founding President of Jao Link, Ms Angeline Yiu; family member of Professor Jao Tsung-i Ms Veronica Yiu; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Ms Fione Lo.
 
     To complement the exhibition, a series of special programmes to be conducted in Cantonese will be held by the museum. For details, please visit the website at hk.heritage.museum/en_US/web/hm/eventsactivities/programmes/story_of_jao_tsung-i.html.
 
     The exhibition will run from tomorrow to February 17, 2020, at Thematic Galleries 3, 4 and 5 on the first floor of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin.
 
     The exhibition is co-presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the University of Hong Kong, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole of the University of Hong Kong. One of the HKSAR's celebration activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the exhibition is supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Macao Museum of Art, the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole Fan Club, the Jao Tsung-I Academy (Macao), the Jao Studies Foundation, Jao Link and HKEdCity.

            

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 26) said that the CFS has been closely following up on the incident of romaine lettuce produced in Salinas, California, the US, suspected to be contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 and had earlier suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of the romaine lettuce produced in the area concerned, and instructed the importer concerned to stop sale and recall the affected products. The CFS' further investigations found that some other kinds of the affected products were sold by the importer concerned and one more importer was found to have imported affected products. The CFS urged members of the public not to consume the affected products. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS has earlier instructed the importer concerned, Wing Kee Produce Ltd, to stop sale and recall a kind of the affected product. The CFS' follow-up investigations found that the importer had also sold several other kinds of the affected products produced in the area concerned. In addition, the Centre found that another importer, City Super Limited, had also imported several kinds of the affected products." 

     Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: Romaine Heart
Brand: Earthbound
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 750 grams per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(2) Product name: Chopped Caesar Salad Kit
Brand: Earthbound
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 8.5 ounces per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(3) Product name: Asian Style Chopped Salad Kit
Brand: Earthbound
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 8.5 oz per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(4) Product name: Southwest Chopped Salad Kit
Brand: Earthbound
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 8.5 oz per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(5) Product name: Classic Caesar Salad
Brand: Ready pac
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 9.5 oz per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(6) Product name: salad italiano
Brand: Ready pac
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 9.5 oz per pack
Importer: Wing Kee Produce Ltd

(7) Product name: KALE CAESAR PREMIUM SALAD KIT
Brand: josie's organics
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 262g per pack
Importer: City Super Limited

(8) Product name: MEDITERRANEAN CRUNCH CHOPPED SALAD KIT
Brand: josie's organics
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 326g per pack
Importer: City Super Limited

(9) Product name: SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD KIT
Brand: josie's organics
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 326g per pack
Importer: City Super Limited

(10) Product name: SRIRACHA CHOPPED SALAD KIT
Brand: josie's organics
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 326g per pack
Importer: City Super Limited

(11) Product name: Romaine Hearts
Brand: FOXY
Place of origin: Salinas, California, the US
Net weight: 340g per pack
Importer: City Super Limited

     The spokesman said that the above-mentioned importers concerned had removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected products, and initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions. Members of the public may call the hotline of Wing Kee Produce Ltd at 2796 3111 and the hotline of City Super Limited at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

     The spokesman said that the CFS has enhanced surveillance of romaine lettuce produced in the US at import and retail levels.

     People will contract E. coli causing gastro-intestinal disease through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome may also develop in some people. Moreover, due to poor personal hygiene, person-to-person transmission of this pathogen is possible through the oral-faecal route. E. coli cannot survive under high temperature and can be killed by thorough cooking.

     The Centre will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.