Voter Registration Frequently Asked Questions
A. Resident Representative Elections for Existing Villages and Kaifong Representative Elections for Market Towns (Cheung Chau/Peng Chau)
1. Q: Who is eligible to be registered as an elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town?
A person is eligible to be registered as an elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town if the person meets all of the following criteria:
| the person is a resident of the Village/Market Town; | |
| the person has been a resident of the Village/Market Town for the three years immediately before the date of application for registration as an elector; | |
| the person has reached 18 years of age or will reach 18 years of age on or before the next coming 20 October following the person’s application for registration; | |
| the person is a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as defined by section 2 of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Cap. 539); | |
| the person holds a valid identity document, e.g. Hong Kong permanent identity card; and | |
| the person is not disqualified from being registered as an elector under section 16 of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576). |
2. Q: What does “resident” mean?
In relation to an Existing Village/a Market Town, “resident” means a person whose principal residential address is in the Village/Market Town.
3. Q: What does “principal residential address” mean?
In relation to a person, “principal residential address” means the address of the dwelling place at which the person resides and which constitutes the person’s sole or main home. Under the law, a registered elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town in the existing final register for the Village/Market Town that is in effect must have been a resident of the Village/Market Town for the three years immediately before the compilation of the subsequent provisional register if he/she is to remain registered. If the registered elector of the Resident Representative Election or the Kaifong Representative Election no longer resides in the Existing Village/Market Town for which he/she is registered, or his/her residential address in the Village/Market Town is no longer his/her principal residential address, he/she is no longer eligible to remain registered as an elector. The person concerned will commit an offence if he/she votes in an election.
4. Q: What does “Hong Kong permanent resident” mean?
Please call the Immigration Department hotline on (852) 2824 6111 for enquiries.
5. Q: What is a valid identity document?
Generally speaking, valid identity documents include:
| identity card; | |
| supporting documents for application/replacement of an identity card; | |
| supporting documents for amending the information on an identity card; or | |
| certificate of exemption for holding an identity card (under special circumstances, the Immigration Department will issue a Certificate of Exemption to a person who has difficulty in attending in person to apply or register for the issue or renewal of an identity card, such as the aged, the infirm and the disabled). |
6. Q: I wish to register as an elector for the Resident Representative Election/Kaifong Representative Election. What should I do if I am not sure my principal residential address falls within which Existing Village/Market Town?
You may refer to the Existing Village Boundary Maps or Market Town Boundary Maps, which are available at the Home Affairs Department or the District Office of the district within which your dwelling place is located, or by clicking here for the relevant maps.
B. Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Elections for Indigenous Villages/Composite Indigenous Villages
7. Q: Who is eligible to be registered as an elector for an Indigenous Village or a Composite Indigenous Village?
A person is eligible to be registered as an elector for an Indigenous Village or a Composite Indigenous Village if the person meets all of the following criteria:
| the person is an indigenous inhabitant of the Village, or a spouse or surviving spouse of an indigenous inhabitant of the Village; | |
| the person has reached 18 years of age or will reach 18 years of age on or before the next coming 20 October following the person’s application for registration; | |
| the person holds a valid identity document; and | |
| the person is not disqualified from being registered as an elector under section 16 of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576). |
8. Q: What does “indigenous inhabitant” mean?
According to section 2 of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576), “indigenous inhabitant” means:
(a) in relation to an Indigenous Village that existed in 1898 (whether or not the name the Village now has is the same name it had in 1898), means:
(b) in relation to an Indigenous Village that branched off from an Indigenous Village that existed in 1898 (whether or not the name the Village now has is the same name it had in 1898), means:
(c) in relation to a Composite Indigenous Village, means:
(a) in relation to an Indigenous Village that existed in 1898 (whether or not the name the Village now has is the same name it had in 1898), means:
| a person who was in 1898 a resident of the Village; or | |
| a person who is descended through the male line from a person mentioned in subparagraph (i); |
a person :
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| a person who is descended through the male line from a person mentioned in subparagraph (i); |
| a person who was in 1898 a resident of any of the villages of which the Village is composed; or | |
| a person who is descended through the male line from a person mentioned in subparagraph (i). |
9. Q: What is a valid identity document?
Generally speaking, valid identity documents include:
* If you do not have a Hong Kong Identity Card, you may use other identity documents acceptable as proof of your identity (e.g. passport). Please attach a copy of the identity document to the application form (the photocopies should include the front cover of the identity document and its other pages indicating the personal particulars, identity document number, photograph, as well as the expiry date of the document).
| identity card*; | |
| supporting documents for application/replacement of an identity card; | |
| supporting documents for amending the information on an identity card; or | |
| certificate of exemption for holding an identity card (under special circumstances, the Immigration Department will issue a Certificate of Exemption to a person who has difficulty in attending in person to apply or register for the issue or renewal of an identity card, such as the aged, the infirm and the disabled). |
10. Q: Is a married daughter eligible to be registered as an elector for an Indigenous Village or a Composite Indigenous Village?
If the woman is descended through the male line from an indigenous inhabitant of the Indigenous Village or the Composite Indigenous Village and meets all other eligibility requirements for electors of the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election, she is eligible to be registered as an elector.
11. Q:If my spouse and I are indigenous inhabitants of two different villages, are we eligible to be registered as electors for both of these two Indigenous Villages?
No. According to section 15(7) of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576), a person who is eligible to be registered as an elector for two or more Indigenous Villages (including Composite Indigenous Villages) may only be registered for one of those Villages of that person’s choice.
12. Q: Can I register as an elector for both the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election and the Resident Representative Election/Kaifong Representative Election?
If you are an indigenous inhabitant or a spouse/surviving spouse of an indigenous inhabitant and have been residing in an Existing Village/the relevant Market Town for the 3 years immediately before the date of application for registration, and meet the eligibility requirements for electors in the elections, you may submit two separate voter registration forms (one in purple and one in blue/brown) to register as an elector for both the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election (the Village you originate) and the Resident Representative Election/Kaifong Representative Election (the Village/Market Town you are residing in).
Registering as an Elector
13. Q: How do I register as an elector for the Rural Representative Election?
If you meet the eligibility requirements and have not registered as an elector, you should fill out the relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector.
Please note that under the law, proof of address is required for new registration as an elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town from 1 January 2022 onwards. Please refer to the reply to Q19 for the types of address proof.
The relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector can be obtained by the following means:
Please note that under the law, proof of address is required for new registration as an elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town from 1 January 2022 onwards. Please refer to the reply to Q19 for the types of address proof.
The relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector can be obtained by the following means:
- clicking here to download;
- calling the Home Affairs Department hotline on (852) 2152 1521 to request a copy by fax; or
- visiting the Home Affairs Department Headquarters or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of any District Offices.
- by post (Address: 30/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong);
- by fax (Fax no.: (852) 2591 6392);
- by hand (in person or through a representative to the Home Affairs Department Headquarters or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of any District Offices);
- by email (Email address: rre@had.gov.hk)(Any application form uploaded to a cloud storage with the link provided in an email will not be accepted); or
- by uploading to the e-Submission Platform.
14. Q: Does it mean that I cannot register as an elector after the deadline of application for new voter registration (16 June)?
Any eligible person who has not registered as an elector may submit the form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector at any time of the year. If the application form reaches the Electoral Registration Officer by 16 June, the information provided will be included in the provisional registers of electors to be published on or before 27 August that year. If the application form reaches the Electoral Registration Officer after 16 June, the information provided will be included in the provisional registers of the following year.
15. Q: If I reach 18 years of age after the registration deadline (16 June), am I eligible to be registered as an elector for the Rural Representative Election?
According to section 15(4)(c), 15(5)(b) or 15(5A)(c) of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576), if you reach 18 years of age on or before the next 20 October following your application for registration and meet all other eligibility requirements for electors, you are eligible to be registered as an elector for the Rural Representative Election. Your name will be entered in the register(s) of that year.
16. Q: Can I submit application(s) for voter registration on behalf of my spouse or other family members?
The completed application form should be personally signed by the applicant to declare that the particulars entered and the supporting documents provided are true and accurate.
17. Q: If I have registered as an elector before, do I need to register again?
It is not necessary for a registered elector to register again. However, if there is any change of particulars such as principal residential address, correspondence address and marital status (applicable to the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election only) which will affect your eligibility to remain registered or how the Home Affairs Department/Electoral Registration Officer can communicate with you, you should notify the Home Affairs Department/Electoral Registration Officer as soon as possible.
Under the law, a registered elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town in the existing final register for the Village/Market Town that is in effect must have been a resident of the Village/Market Town for the three years immediately before the compilation of the subsequent provisional register if he/she is to remain registered. If the registered elector of the Resident Representative Election or the Kaifong Representative Election no longer resides in the Existing Village/Market Town for which he/she is registered, or his/her residential address in the Village/Market Town is no longer his/her principal residential address, he/she is no longer eligible to remain registered as an elector. The person concerned will commit an offence if he/she votes in an election.
An elector for an Indigenous Village or a Composite Indigenous Village must be an indigenous inhabitant of the Village or a spouse or surviving spouse of an indigenous inhabitant of the Village. Any change of the marital status will affect a registered elector’s eligibility to remain registered.
Under the law, a registered elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town in the existing final register for the Village/Market Town that is in effect must have been a resident of the Village/Market Town for the three years immediately before the compilation of the subsequent provisional register if he/she is to remain registered. If the registered elector of the Resident Representative Election or the Kaifong Representative Election no longer resides in the Existing Village/Market Town for which he/she is registered, or his/her residential address in the Village/Market Town is no longer his/her principal residential address, he/she is no longer eligible to remain registered as an elector. The person concerned will commit an offence if he/she votes in an election.
An elector for an Indigenous Village or a Composite Indigenous Village must be an indigenous inhabitant of the Village or a spouse or surviving spouse of an indigenous inhabitant of the Village. Any change of the marital status will affect a registered elector’s eligibility to remain registered.
Changing Registration Particulars
18. Q: If I wish to make changes to my principal particulars recorded in the registers, what should I do?
You should fill out the relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector.
Under the law, proof of address is required for change of principal residential address by a registered elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town. Please refer to the reply to Q19 for the types of address proof.
The relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector can be obtained by the following means:
Please submit the duly completed and signed application form together with the supporting documents (if applicable) to the Home Affairs Department:
Under the law, proof of address is required for change of principal residential address by a registered elector for an Existing Village/a Market Town. Please refer to the reply to Q19 for the types of address proof.
The relevant form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector can be obtained by the following means:
- clicking here to download;
- calling the Home Affairs Department hotline on (852) 2152 1521 to request a copy by fax; or
- visiting the Home Affairs Department Headquarters or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of any District Offices.
Please submit the duly completed and signed application form together with the supporting documents (if applicable) to the Home Affairs Department:
- by post (Address: 30/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong);
- by fax (Fax no.: (852) 2591 6392);
- by hand (in person or through a representative to the Home Affairs Department Headquarters or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of any District Offices);
- by email (Email address: rre@had.gov.hk)(Any application form uploaded to a cloud storage with the link provided in an email will not be accepted); or
- by uploading to the e-Submission Platform.
19. Q: What documents are accepted as a valid proof of address?
The Home Affairs Department (“HAD”) accepts the documents below which bear the issuing date and the name of issuing organisation as a valid proof of address:
The HAD accepts the original copy, photocopy or fax copy of the abovementioned documents as valid proof of address.
One of the following documents bearing the applicant’s name and principal residential address (name and address on the document should be identical to those on the applicant’s Hong Kong Identity Card and this application form respectively) –
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| Address proof bearing the name and residential address of the person residing with the applicant, and a declaration signed by the applicant to confirm that such other person is living with the applicant at the same address and that the attached address proof is a complete original or true copy of the original. Sample of the relevant declaration can be downloaded by clicking here ; or |
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| If the applicant is not able to produce any documents listed above as documentary proof of address, the HAD will also accept a statutory declaration provided by the applicant made before a Commissioner for Oaths / a practising solicitor / a Justice of the Peace by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap. 11) to substantiate the claim of residing at the declared address. Free service for the members of the public who need to make sworn declarations is available at the District Offices. Sample of the relevant statutory declaration can be downloaded by clicking here. |
The HAD accepts the original copy, photocopy or fax copy of the abovementioned documents as valid proof of address.
Cancelling Voter Registration
20. Q: If I wish to cancel my voter registration for the Rural Representative Election, what should I do?
You may notify the Electoral Registration Officer in writing by post (Address: 30/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), fax (Fax no. (852) 2591 6392) or email (Email address: rre@had.gov.hk). Please state clearly in the letter your name, identity card number, principal residential address, the name of the rural area, the name of the Rural Committee for which you are registered, your updated postal address and daytime contact phone number, and personally sign the letter.
Disqualified from Being Registered as an Elector
21. Q: Under what circumstances will a person be disqualified from being registered as an elector for the Rural Representative Election?
According to section 16 of the Rural Representative Election Ordinance (Cap. 576), a person is disqualified from being registered as an elector for the Rural Representative Election if the person:
| is found under the Mental Health Ordinance (Cap. 136) to be incapable, by reason of mental incapacity, of managing and administering his/her property and affairs; or | |
| is a member of the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China or any other country or territory. |
Providing False Information for Voter Registration
22. Q: If I know someone provides false information for voter registration, how can I report it to government departments?
The existing arrangement of voter registration hinges on a mechanism of honest submission to facilitate registration by members of the public. Eligible persons for registration or registered electors should provide true and accurate information in applying for registration or reporting changes of registered particulars. If members of the public come across suspicious cases, they may lodge complaints with the Home Affairs Department, which will take follow-up action promptly and refer the cases to the law enforcement agencies for investigation as appropriate. Everyone should abide by the law.
23. Q: Which ordinance is contravened if a person provides false information to the Electoral Registration Officer for voter registration and votes in an election?
A person who knowingly or recklessly gives false or misleading information (e.g. false residential address) to the Electoral Registration Officer, regardless of whether he/she votes in an election, commits an offence under the law. If the person subsequently votes in an election, he/she will be in contravention of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (Cap 544), which is enforced by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Besides, if an elector produces or provides a fraudulent address proof with an intention that the Electoral Registration Officer shall accept it as a valid proof of address, he/she has committed the offence of forgery. In accordance with section 71 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), a person who commits the offence of forgery is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 14 years.
Besides, if an elector produces or provides a fraudulent address proof with an intention that the Electoral Registration Officer shall accept it as a valid proof of address, he/she has committed the offence of forgery. In accordance with section 71 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), a person who commits the offence of forgery is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 14 years.
Enquiry on Voter Registration
24. Q: How do I know that my registered particulars in the register of electors are correct?
Registered electors can check their latest registered particulars through the Rural Representative Election Voter Registration Information Enquiry System or by calling the Home Affairs Department hotline on (852) 2152 1521.
25. Q: I have submitted a form for Application for New Registration/Report on Change of Particulars by an Elector. How do I know if the Home Affairs Department has finished processing my application?
In addition to sending registration notices to the applicants by post after completion of processing their applications for new registration/change(s) of registration particulars, the Home Affairs Department will notify the applicants through short message service (if a mobile phone number is provided by the applicants). Applicants for new registration may also access the Rural Representative Election Voter Registration Information Enquiry System to check their latest application status.
26. Q: Which government department should I approach if I have further questions on voter registration?
For enquiries, you may call the Home Affairs Department hotline on (852) 2152 1521 or email us at rre@had.gov.hk.
