Election Office Under Investigation Over Data Loss

An investigation is being launched into the management of the Registration and Electoral Office, days after it was revealed that officers kept the loss of personal data on thousands of voters under wraps.

It was only uncovered last week that a register containing information on voters from Tsing Yi during the 2016 Legco elections had disappeared, with officials now scrambling to make sure voter information is secure.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, said on Tuesday that the investigation will be conducted by the Electoral Affairs Commission – the independent body that oversees local elections to make sure they are conducted fairly.

"The Electoral Affairs Commission will ... try to locate the problems and loopholes relating to the electoral arrangements and also the management within the REO, and would suggest improvement measures," Nip said.

He said both he and the REO's chief electoral officer had only recently learned about the loss of the information and a report has been filed with the police.

The Privacy Commissioner has also been notified and Nip has directed the REO to submit a full report to his bureau.

The register that was lost contained the personal information of some 8,000 voters in the Kwai Tsing district of the New Territories West constituency. The register included information such as names, addresses and identity card numbers.

Nip said the REO will notify all those affected by the loss, and make sure their information is secure.

"If there were changes, or unusual changes, to the registration, the REO will take proactive steps to contact the concerned electors and verify the registrations and also follow up as appropriate."

The minister also said if evidence arises that there has been a deliberate cover-up, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Hong Kong also experienced a massive election-related data breach in 2017 when a laptop containing information on the city's 3.7 million voters was stolen at AsiaWorld-Expo during the Chief Executive selection process.