The direct and indirect elections for the Legislative Assembly (AL) are scheduled for September 14 – and during a press briefing, Seng Ioi Man, president of the Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Committee (CAEAL), said that by noon yesterday, nine individuals had already collected their nomination-committee application forms, repeatedly stressing that any attempts to influence voters through coercion, fraud, or other improper means are criminal offences punishable by law.
Seng, accompanied by fellow CAEAL members Louie Wong Lok I, Mak Kim Meng, Lai U Hou, Ng Wai Han, and Daisy Ho In Mui, made the remarks while speaking to the media after the committee’s closed-door meeting at the Public Administration Building on Rua do Campo.
According to Seng, as of noon yesterday, nine individuals had collected nomination-committee application forms, none of which had been returned so far, urging those planning to set up a nominating committee to fill in and submit their application forms by June 6 to ensure that the legal composition of the nominating committee is officially confirmed.
Seng reminded the public that only those who have officially established their nominating committees will be permitted to submit their lists of candidates and election platforms by June 26. Distribution of the application forms commenced on March 6.
CAEAL urges residents to report coercion, fraud, or improper influence
Before addressing media enquiries, Seng said that the CAEAL was actively reviewing and assessing recent comments and online posts regarding the solicitation of voter support for forming a nominating committee, quoting a member of the public who reported feeling “pressured” to submit a specific number of nomination forms.
Seng emphasised that the signing of nomination forms by voters to support the setting-up of a nominating committee is a crucial right granted by law, serving as a political gesture that reflects the voters’ willingness to participate in the committee.
Seng reaffirmed that no individual seeking nomination or being involved in electioneering may engage in coercion, fraud, professional duress, or offering any advantages to manipulate voters in forming a nominating committee or to influence their voting decisions: “These actions are not permitted by law”. He urged anyone who feels they have been coerced or deceived into signing the nomination form to report the matter immediately to the CAEAL or the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC), providing as much specific and detailed information as possible: “We encourage the public to share their thoughts and insights with the CAEAL, and we are committed to taking these perspectives seriously in our follow-up efforts”.
Seng made it clear that the CAEAL has not received any reports indicating that nominations are the result of duress, adding that the law enforcement agencies will take measures to investigate any “coercion” cases and there are provisions in the Legislative Assembly Election Law to deal with such issues, i.e., the respective voter did not sign the nomination form voluntarily so that the nomination form is invalid as it involves a criminal offence.
Only registered voters are entitled to sign a nomination form. Each voter can only endorse one nomination form.
According to Seng, the CAEAL will conduct a briefing session next Wednesday to clarify the election process for the public and prospective candidates. Additionally, early next month, the CAEAL will meet with representatives from the city’s gaming concessionaires in conjunction with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) to discuss the importance of neutrality for corporations and their employees during the election.
Asked by the media about individuals claiming to be teachers who have expressed certain election-related concerns on social media, alleging that their schools have pressured them to assist in collecting signatures for the formation of a particular nominating committee, Seng responded that the CAEAL will organise a briefing session with school representatives to address such issues.
In response to social media concerns that some senior citizens were allegedly asked by social organisations whether they had signed certain nomination forms while seeking assistance for the Economic and Technological Development Bureau’s (DSEDT) upcoming “Community Consumption Grand Prize” campaign, Seng clarified that the initiative is a government policy focused on health and welfare, with no connection to electoral matters. He noted that the CAEAL has tried to investigate the issue further but has been unable to gather any specific details through various channels, complicating their ability to follow up effectively.
Candidate disqualified in 7th election banned from this year’s polling
Those planning to establish their nominating committee should aim to gather between 300 and 500 valid nominations – and there has been public concern that some major civil society groups may have collected more than 500 in total. Seng said in response to a reporter’s question yesterday that so far the CAEAL has not encountered any such cases, adding that with over 300,000 registered voters, it was expected that candidates intending to run in the election will actively seek public support and work to establish a nominating committee before the June 6 deadline.
When asked whether a candidate disqualified from participating in the seventh Legislative Assembly elections four years ago could run in this year’s polling, Seng referred to the amendments made to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, pointing out that individuals who have been deemed as not upholding the Macau Basic Law and who have failed to pledge allegiance to the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) are barred from standing for election for a period of five years.
Members of the Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Committee (CAEAL), including CAEAL President Seng Ioi Man (centre), attend yesterday’s meeting at the Public Administration Building on Rua do Campo before speaking to the media in the afternoon. – Photo: Yuki Lei
