CERC Validates Over 1,100 Nominations for Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections

Candidate Eligibility Review Committee makes determinations on nominations of candidates or nominees and registrations of ex-officio members for Election Committee

The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC) today (October 30) announced that the nomination of 1 115 candidates for the Election Committee (EC) Subsector Ordinary Elections and 156 nominations for EC members have been determined as valid. In addition, the CERC also determined 341 registrations of ex-officio EC members as valid.

The 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections. Photo source: reference image

Candidates nominated for EC subsector elections

As regards the 982 members to be returned by the 2026 EC Subsector Ordinary Elections, the Returning Officers (ROs) received a total of 1 115 nomination forms for candidates during the nomination period. Upon review, the CERC has determined these 1 115 nominations as valid.

Members returned by nominations for EC subsectors

As for the 156 members to be returned through nominations by designated bodies, the ROs received 40 nomination forms submitted by designated bodies, involving 161 nominees. According to section 12(2) of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Election Committee) Regulation (Cap. 541I), the CERC is only required to determine the validity of nominations for the number that is necessary for filling the assigned seats of the subsector concerned. In this connection, the CERC has determined 156 nominations as valid according to the priorities indicated by the designated bodies. The CERC had not determined the eligibility of the five additional nominees.

The 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections. Photo source: reference image

Registrations of ex-officio EC members

In accordance with section 5I and 5J of the Schedule to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569), a person holding a specified office under Part 2A of the Schedule may register as an ex-officio EC member. Upon review, the CERC has determined 341 registrations as valid.

Once published, the gazette notices will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk) and the website of the Registration and Electoral Office (REO). The REO and the respective ROs will also notify the ex-officio registrants, nominees and candidates of the CERC's determinations.

The CERC is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, with three official members (Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak Mei-kuen; and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa) and three non-official members (Miss Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Mrs Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai and Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee). In accordance with Annex I to the Basic Law, the CERC is responsible for reviewing and confirming the eligibility of candidates for EC membership (including ex-officio members, members to be returned by nomination and candidates of the EC). The CERC decides whether such persons comply with the legal requirements and conditions of upholding the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and bearing allegiance to the HKSAR of the PRC.

The 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections. Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs detects duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at Shenzhen Bay Control Point

Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle (MGV). A male local driver involved in the case was arrested.

Based on intelligence analysis, Customs officers intercepted the MGV, which was declared to be carrying plastic films and carton sealing tapes, at the above-mentioned control point. Upon examination, Customs officers found about 400 boxes of unmanifested and duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, as well as a small quantity of other undeclared goods from the vehicle. A 55-year-old male local driver was subsequently arrested.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the manufactured tobacco. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis to vigorously combat cross-border smuggling activities.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette and smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle. A male local driver involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected a duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (October 29). A total of about 8 000 kilograms of duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $53.4 million and a duty potential of about $32 million was seized from an inbound medium goods vehicle. A male local driver involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases