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Ng Kang-chung

Young people can opt to make self-declarations to be exempted from producing proof of address to register as electors under a new Hong Kong government drive to boost voter numbers, lawmakers have been told.
A commissioner for oaths will be stationed at each Immigration Department registration of persons office, where young people replace their juvenile identity cards with adult ones upon turning 18.
The initiative was outlined as officials presented the 2026 voter registration campaign at Monday’s meeting of the Legislative Council’s constitutional affairs panel.
The first stage of the campaign would run from late April to early June, encouraging eligible residents to apply for new registration, the panel heard.
Clement Woo Kin-man, acting secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, said the government attached great importance to encouraging young people to register as electors and to vote in elections.
“Some young people may want to register, but very often they do not have any address proof,” he said.
“We have to appreciate that. They are only 18 years old and it is not surprising that they do not have name-bearing proof of residential address, such as water or electricity bills.
“So we will have a commissioner for oaths at Immigration Department offices to administer their affirmations. We hope to make it more convenient for young people and facilitate their registration.
“Of course, we will cross-check the information afterwards to make sure the addresses they provide are accurate.”
In general, a permanent resident who ordinarily lives in Hong Kong is eligible to register as a voter upon reaching the age of 18. Proof of address is required to support the application.




Under the campaign, various government units will also maintain contact with support groups for new immigrants, imported talent and quality migrants to encourage registration once their members attain permanent residency, according to Woo.
Legislator Holden Chow Ho-ding praised the government’s efforts and urged officials to cooperate with schools and universities to promote voter registration.
“After becoming voters, young people can vote in elections and also develop a sense of citizenship,” said Chow of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
Fellow lawmaker Andrew Yao Cho-fai, who represents the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in the legislature, also welcomed the plan and suggested that officials set up counters at pop concert venues to attract young fans to register as voters.
Yao, who chairs the governing council of Lingnan University, added: “The government can also make voter registration numbers a performance indicator for local universities.”
Panel chairman Chan Yung said the government could mobilise care teams in various districts to help elderly people register as voters.
Official figures showed Hong Kong had about 4.14 million registered voters last year, down from 4.21 million in 2024. Of them, 12,125 were aged between 18 and 20.
At Monday’s panel meeting, legislators were also briefed on the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission in 2025.
The watchdog received 1,302 complaints last year, up from 1,075 in 2024. Slightly more than half were related to disability discrimination, while another 36.5 per cent concerned sex discrimination.
Commission chairperson Linda Lam Mei-sau told the panel that the agency would continue to deepen exchanges with its counterparts in the Greater Bay Area in the coming year.


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Youngsters will be exempted from producing proof of address to register as electors as part of campaign


Youngsters will be exempted from producing proof of address to register as electors as part of campaign.


Hong Kong in new push to get young people to register as voters

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Youngsters will be exempted from producing proof of address to register as electors as part of campaign

Youngsters will be exempted from producing proof of address to register as electors as part of campaign