Drill Conducted for Election System Preparedness Ahead of By-elections and Legislative Council Election

REO and DPO host drill for Electronic Poll Register System

​The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) hosted a drill on technical support for regular and contingency arrangements of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) System today (August 13) for comprehensive preparation and detailed planning for the Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) By-elections to be held on September 7 and the Legislative Council General Election to be held on December 7.

A spokesman for the REO said, "The EPR System will be used for issuing ballot papers at the two major elections this year. The drill today aims to simulate monitoring of the ballot papers issuance system by the technical support teams throughout the polling day, and to test the instant response capabilities of the technical support teams and the system's resilience under special circumstances."

The drill was conducted for the polling operations of the two elections this year with strengthened technical support and contingency plans for the EPR System. It adopts the principle of "respond instantly, recover rapidly" and combines multi-layered system monitoring with a comprehensive contingency plan. The drill simulates the immediate activation of corresponding contingency plans when the system monitoring indicators exceed their pre-defined thresholds, with an aim to resume system operations within the shortest period of time and ensure the smooth issuance of ballot papers at the elections.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, acted as the Information Technology Commander for the drill with the participation of technical support teams from the DPO and the REO as well as the EPR System contractor. The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, and the Convenor and Members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) were also present to observe the proactive system monitoring and the execution of contingency plans under different simulated scenarios.

The relevant tasks in system development, including high-intensity stress tests and security tests, have been conducted in accordance with the EAC's three-tier confirmation mechanism. The REO has submitted the system modifications and testing results to the TAC for consideration and endorsement. "With the multi-layered system monitoring and the prompt implementation of contingency plans in case of special circumstances, it helps ensure the smooth issuance of ballot papers at polling stations," the spokesman said.

The REO will continue to arrange a series of drills and training sessions for electoral staff with a view to familiarising them with the workflow and enhancing the co-ordination and response capabilities of various aspects, so as to make adequate and comprehensive preparations for the two elections this year.

REO and DPO host drill for Electronic Poll Register System Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

REO and DPO host drill for Electronic Poll Register System Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

REO and DPO host drill for Electronic Poll Register System Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

REO and DPO host drill for Electronic Poll Register System Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases