The Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) has received reports about some groups and individuals recently hosting activities under different pretexts, where meals were offered to participants for free or at discounted prices.
According to the report, during such events, announcements were made in relation to certain people’s intentions to run for the upcoming election, or nominating committee forms were given to the participants to sign.
Currently, interested individuals or parties who intend to run for the election have started to collect voters’ signatures.
According to Article 170 of the Electoral Regime of the Legislative Assembly of Macau, one may be subject to imprisonment for one to eight years for offering, promising or granting, by oneself or through another person, benefits to a natural person or a legal person so that the latter will follow his direction to or not to form a nominating committee.
Meanwhile, the law also prescribes that anyone who receives benefits from the aforementioned case will also be subject to a maximum three years of imprisonment.
The city’s watchdog has hence pledged to carry out an investigation into the reports and complaints about electoral bribery.
Furthermore, CCAC is encouraging citizens to report any illegal or irregular acts related to the elections through the complaint hotline and online platform jointly provided by CCAC and the Electoral Commission Committee.
