The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) said today (November 30) that there was a recent appeal on the Internet urging electors to stamp two ticks on their ballot papers when casting votes for the District Council geographical constituency (DCGC) in the District Council Ordinary Election on December 10, thereby rendering the ballot papers invalid. The REO reiterates that, it is clearly stipulated in the relevant electoral legislation that when electors cast their votes, they can only stamp one tick in the designated circle opposite the name of the relevant candidate using the chop provided at the polling station. As such, the choice of candidate for which electors have voted is clearly indicated. Each elector can only stamp one tick on the ballot paper for one candidate of their choice (i.e. there can only be one tick marked on the ballot paper) or the ballot paper will be deemed as invalid.
 
     To enable electors to have a better understanding of the polling procedures and the relevant points they should note, the REO has clearly set out the relevant information on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk) and publicised it on television, radio and online platforms. Electors are also reminded of the relevant polling procedures in the poll cards that have been mailed recently and will be subsequently received by them. On the polling day, when distributing ballot papers, the polling staff will remind DCGC electors again that they can only vote for one candidate (i.e. only one tick to be marked on the ballot paper). To ensure that the election runs smoothly and that electors can vote for the candidate they prefer and trust, the REO once again calls on electors to pay attention to the relevant polling requirements and points to note, including casting their votes at the designated polling station, polling hours and the need to bring their identity card to vote.
 
     Lastly, the REO reiterated that according to the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, it is an offence to engage in illegal conduct of inciting another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period. Upon conviction, the offence warrants a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and a fine of $200,000.

     The "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" for July to September 2023 is now available for access and download.
 
     The report contains statistics on labour force, employment, unemployment and underemployment for the third quarter of 2023. It also contains detailed analyses of the characteristics of different categories of members of the labour force, including their age, sex, educational attainment, employment status, occupation, industry, hours worked per week and monthly employment earnings, etc. Information on reasons for leaving last job and duration of unemployment for the unemployed is also presented.
 
     Users can browse and download the report at the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     The summary of broad survey findings published in the report is shown in Table 1 attached. Enquiries about the contents of the report can be directed to the General Household Survey Section (3), Census and Statistics Department (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Government Property Agency is inviting three separate tenders for tenancies of (i) Shop No. 506, (ii) Shop No.507 and (iii) Shop No. 508 on the First Floor, Passenger Clearance Building, 33 Shun Fai Road, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, Lantau, Hong Kong, each for a three-year tenancy subject to the provisions for renewal for a further term of two years.

     The three premises should only be used for general retail and/or services purposes (excluding the sale of cigarette, cigar or other tobacco products).

     The tender notices were uploaded today (November 30) to the Government Property Agency's Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the Government Property Agency's Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the Agency by calling 3842 6916 on or before December 11.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on December 27. Late tenders will not be accepted.

     Hong Kong Customs on November 28 seized about 50 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $24 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Four men suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
      
     Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying sodium hydrogen carbonate (commonly known as baking soda) and arriving in Hong Kong from Germany. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed inside two packaging bags of baking soda.  
      
     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers immediately conducted a controlled-delivery operation on the same day and arrested three men aged between 20 and 38, suspected to be connected with the case, in Aberdeen at night. A 22-year-old man, suspected to be connected with the case, was also arrested in Choi Hung yesterday (November 29).
      
     The first three arrested men have been jointly charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 1). The arrested 22-year-old man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
      
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     Auctions of the Hong Kong Flower Show (HKFS) 2024 commercial stalls will be held on December 13 (Wednesday) at Cheung Sha Wan Sports Centre at the junction of Cheung Sha Wan Road and Hing Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
 
     Bidders must be 18 years old or above and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong under section 2 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). Any company incorporated in Hong Kong can also take part in the auctions. Each bidder can bid for one or more stalls.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the 10-day flower show will be held from March 15 to 24, 2024, at Victoria Park.
 
     There will be 55 commercial stalls in the showground. The stall types and numbers of types of stalls are as follows:
 
(1) Photographic equipment stall (5 metres x 5m): 1
​(2) Book stall (5m x 10m): 1
​(3) Beverage stall (5m x 5m): 2
​(4) Fast food stall (5m x 10m): 6
​(5) Fast food stall – Floral cafe (5m x 10m): 1
​(6) Handicraft stall (5m x 5m): 2
​(7) Flower and gardening stall (5m x 5m): 42
 
     Details of the auctions are as follows:
 
Auction time: 10am to noon
Stall types and upset prices:
​(1) Photographic equipment stall: $17,060
​(2) Book stall: $11,630
​(3) Beverage stall: $22,740
​(4) Fast food stall:  $ 22,740  
​(5) Fast food stall – Floral cafe: $22,740  
 
Auction time: 2.30pm to 6pm
Stall types and upset prices:
​(1) Handicraft stall: $ 17,060  
​(2) Flower and gardening stall: $17,060  
 
     The licensee is required to pay a deposit ($4,528 for each stall) as security for the due and proper performance of the licensee in compliance with the agreement. The security deposit will be refunded to the licensee after the show, provided all stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement have been complied with.
 
     The LCSD reminds licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the LCSD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show or sell any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, immoral or incompatible with the object of the HKFS, the LCSD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such an activity and the licensee must immediately comply with such direction.
 
     Successful bidders must comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to prohibit the licensee from future bidding, issue a default notice to deduct the security deposit and terminate the agreement, and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.
 
     Location and layout plans showing the commercial stalls to be auctioned are on display at the following venues:
 
​(1) All District Leisure Services Offices of the LCSD;
​(2) The Lift Lobby at 11/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin; and
​(3) All Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.

     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2024/commercial.html