Lawmakers support CCAC on electoral law reform

Local lawmakers have expressed their support of André Cheong’s call for a revision to the electoral law in order to ensure that events held by local associations are not used as part of election campaigns.
The call comes after the Commissioner Against Corruption,  André  Cheong,
last week confirmed his intention to submit an amendment proposal by the end of October.
The intention of the proposed amendment is to tackle vote-buying and to reduce intervention in elections by organizations such as local associations and casino operators. Several lawmakers have agreed that there should be guidelines to prevent events run by associations from acting as a platform for elections.
Ho Ion Sang, vice-president of the Macau General Union of Neighborhood Associations (known as Kai Fong), explained that “Macau is a society of associations. There are 6,000 to 7,000 associations. Their standing events are held on a regular basis. During the election, clearer guidelines should be used to make sure that the relevant associations’ events do not conflict with the laws governing elections.”
The president of the Legislative Assembly, Ho Iat Seng, agreed to the implementation of boundaries and felt that the matter should be investigated. He said that “events held by associations happen regularly and can’t be cancelled. Maybe voters should avoid them for two weeks or one month. Then it would be clearer for the voters and for candidates. They wouldn’t step out of bounds.”
The president also pointed out that as society continues to change, new situations and new problems would arise in each election. He said that no single revision to electoral law is capable of ending all improper election behavior. Instead the law should be reviewed gradually as society develops.
According to Melinda Chan, the “priority is to set up mechanisms that are fair to both new and long-standing candidates.” She stressed that revisions to electoral laws should include a limit on the number of permitted promotional vehicles and posters. The number of vehicles would need to be registered, and a failure to do so should be considered a “violation.”
Ho Ion Sang and Ho Iat Seng both believe that this is an issue that should be discussed with the public. André Cheong said last week that a public consultation on the matter could take place as soon as the beginning of next year.
Macau’s next electoral campaign will take place in 2017, when a new Legislative Assembly will be elected.