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Drivers given online option for permits

Members of the public can now apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) through an online service launched today by the Transport Department.   Users of “iAM Smart+” or eligible applicants holding a valid personal digital certificate may apply online via the GovHK website and receive their IDP by post, without the need to visit a licensing office in person.   If the submitted documents and photograph are in order, the department will normally send successful applicants their IDP by registered post within 10 working days of the online application being made.   The department reminded those who plan to drive outside of Hong Kong to allow sufficient time for the IDP applications to be processed.   Citizens may continue to submit IDP applications by visiting licensing offices in person. Appointments can be booked online or by calling 3763 8080 to save queuing time.   Drivers may also send in their IDP applications by post or via the drop-in boxes placed at licensi

Electors' particulars protected: REO

The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) has all along implemented stringent measures on inspection of registers to protect electors' particulars in the registers.   The REO made the statement today in response to media enquiries concerning the arrangements for inspection of provisional register of electors, noting that audio recording, photo and video-taking and copying information are prohibited during the inspection.   It explained that any individual who reproduces or permits any other person to reproduce in any form, uses or permits another person to use, or imparts to any other person any information contained in the registers for a purpose other than a purpose related to an election, commits an offence. Such measures are in compliance with the law and in line with the long-established practice.   The REO also noted a judicial review from the Junior Police Officer’s Association (JPOA) on inspection of final registers of electors.   It pointed out that the JPOA applied to the Court of First Instance (CFI) of the High Court for leave for judicial review in 2019, prohibiting the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to release the extract of the final registers of electors which shows the electors’ names and respective principle residential address of members of the public and candidates.   The JPOA also sought an urgent interim injunction to restrain the ERO from making the final register of electors which shows the linked information available for public inspection and providing relevant particulars to any other individuals. Upon resolution of the case in the CFI, an appeal was made to the Court of Appeal (CA) for review.   In consideration of the relevant circumstances, the CA handed down its judgment in May 2020. It stated that the registered particulars with the linked information of individual electors and the omissions list are available for inspection by validly nominated candidates, members of the press and political parties.   The parts of the registers which contain only corporate electors’ registered particulars and do not show the linked information of individual electors, are available for public inspection. Provision of extract of the registers is only available to specified people including political parties and validly nominated candidates.   The REO added that in the documents and affirmations submitted to the court in the judicial review case, the concerned party also pointed out that the REO has been adopting stringent measures on inspection of registers.        The provisional register and omissions list for voters of Election Committee subsectors are available for inspection by specified individuals from July 18 to 22.
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