HONG KONG—The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong formalized charges against three residents today, November 20, for allegedly distributing social media content that encouraged abstention from voting in the upcoming 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election. The defendants, arrested last week, face legal proceedings for engaging in illegal conduct by publicly inciting others not to participate in the electoral process, a violation of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO). The matter is scheduled for an initial mention at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.
The three individuals charged are Wong Kin-kwok, 55, an air-conditioning engineer; Lam Kin-sik, 66, currently unemployed; and Bonney Ma Wai-ling, 61, a housewife. Each faces one count of contravening Section 27A(1)(a) of the ECICO, which criminalizes publicly inciting others not to vote during the established election period. Prosecutors allege that the defendants disseminated messages on social media—specifically, by reposting content—that explicitly called for an election boycott.
Legal Framework and Context
These arrests and subsequent charges stem from the framework established under the ECICO, which governs the conduct of elections in Hong Kong. The election period for the 2025 LegCo election officially commenced on October 24, following the opening of nominations, and runs through polling day on December 7, 2025. The ICAC emphasizes that distributing content intended to undermine electoral participation, even through reposting, constitutes a serious breach of this law.
In addition to the three who were charged, arrest warrants were issued this morning for two men identified as the alleged originators of the inciting posts: Keung Ka-wai, 34, and Tong Wai-hung, 44. Warrants were sought and obtained after investigators determined that both men have since departed Hong Kong.
The ICAC asserts that Wong reposted a message originally authored by Keung, while Lam and Ma publicly shared content originated by Tong. Keung and Tong each face two counts under the same section of the ECICO for creating and displaying the digital messages on their respective social media accounts during the regulated election period.
ICAC Reiterates Warning on Electoral Integrity
The ICAC, serving as the enforcement body for the ECICO, issued a strong statement condemning any efforts to disrupt or compromise the integrity of the LegCo election. The commission specifically cautioned the public against online campaigns promoting voter abstention or the spoiling of ballots.
“Public incitement not to vote, or to cast an invalid vote, may violate Section 27A of the ECICO,” the ICAC warned. The agency stressed that even the act of re-sharing illegal content can constitute a criminal offense. Authorities urged the public to exercise vigilance against potential manipulation and misinformation and to adhere strictly to electoral laws to ensure the process remains fair and transparent.
As polling day approaches, the ICAC stated its commitment to safeguarding a clean process, promising decisive action against any conduct that attempts to undermine the election’s smooth operation. This series of prosecutions underscores the government’s resolve to enforce election laws applicable to online activities, setting a clear precedent for social media engagement during the electoral period.