LegCo election candidates declare expenses ranging from $25 to $100,000

Declarations of legislative council candidates’ election expenses and donations are available for review, revealing a wide range of expenditures, with single costs up to a total of HK$195,000. 

All candidates were required to have personal photos taken for submission or campaign purposes, but related expenses varied significantly. For example, Technology and Innovation sector lawmaker Duncan Chiu Tat-kun spent only HK$25 for pictures, but Carmen Kan Wai-mun reported HK$6,500 for beauty and makeup services. 

Augustine Wong Ho-ming, candidate for the Real Estate and Construction constituency, HK$20,500 for photoshoots and image design, making him the highest declared expense among candidates in this category so far. 

In addition, many candidates hire agents or assistants to assist with campaigning and election affairs, with expenses generally ranging from HK$20,000 to HK$30,000. 

For instance, lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong declared HK$20,000 for hiring an election agent. However, Kowloon East candidate Jeffrey Chan Chun-hung reported a whooping HK$100,000 for hiring an election agent and another HK$95,000 for election assistants and campaign workers.

Yet, he ultimately received only 3,855 votes, failing to reach the three percent valid vote threshold for his constituency, and will have his HK$50,000 election deposit forfeited according to the law.

Moreover, the items declared by candidates were varied, including personal speech skills courses, coffee gatherings and bouquets.