Loss Of Voter Data Unacceptable: Patrick Nip

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip says the loss of a register containing the personal information of thousands of voters from the 2016 Legislative Council election, and the fact authorities weren't notified about it until earlier this week, is unacceptable.

The register was from a polling station in Kwai Tsing district in the New Territories West constituency. It contained the names, addresses, and identity card numbers of voters from the 2016 election.

The missing register was only reported to the Privacy Commissioner on Thursday night, but officials say there is nothing to suggest the data had been leaked.

Nip said the loss of the register shows that there are problems with the Registration and Electoral Office.

He said the office has been asked to improve its management, internal communication and staff training to prevent similar incidents. He added that those who have been found to have violated procedures will be handled accordingly.

Nip's bureau has demanded a report on the incident.

It's not the first time officials have lost personal information of voters. After the Chief Executive election in 2017, authorities said a laptop containing the data of the city's 3.7 million voters was stolen at the AsiaWorld-Expo.