REO clarifies rumours about collecting ballot papers with “memo of lost property”

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (November 20) made the following statement to clarify online rumours about impersonators applying for ballot papers in the name of another person with a "memo of lost property" (a document evidencing a report to a police officer of the loss or destruction of the person's identity document):

     November 24 (Sunday) is the polling day of the District Council Ordinary Election. Electors must carry the original of their Hong Kong identity card (HKID) to collect their ballot papers on the polling day. An elector who is unable to produce the original of his or her HKID, because it is lost, in collecting the ballot papers may produce a "memo of lost property" together with the original of the person's valid passport or similar travel document showing his or her name and photograph to collect ballot papers.

     The REO stressed that electors cannot collect ballot papers by only producing the "memo of lost property".

     The information contained in the "memo of lost property", i.e. the name and HKID number of an elector, could be used to cross-check against the information that appears on the passport or similar travel document concerned, and the relevant entry in the final register. Polling staff will also check the identity of the elector with the photograph on the original of the person's valid passport or similar travel document before issuing ballot papers.