The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is committed to ensuring that all public elections in Hong Kong are conducted openly, honestly and fairly, Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam told the Legislative Council Wednesday.

To this end, a comprehensive set of electoral legislation is in place to regulate the conduct of elections, he added.

Under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance ("ECICO"), a person who offers, solicits or accepts an advantage as an inducement for another person to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate, or uses force or duress against another person to induce the other person to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum penalty of a fine of 500,000 HK dollars (64,000 US dollars) and imprisonment for 7 years, according to him.

As by June 15, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has received five reports of different types relating to the 2004 Legislative Council elections. The ICAC is handling the cases in question in accordance with the law, and will contact persons concerned as necessary.

As always, the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) will work closely with the ICAC to ensure that the Legislative Council election to be held in September is honest and clean, and will not be affected by any corrupt or illegal practices.

Lam stated that the government will also put in place publicity measures to promote public awareness of various arrangements and legislative provisions which protect the secrecy of votes, and to enhance public understanding of measures against corrupt and illegal conduct in elections, including relevant provisions in the ECICO.