MTR : Handling of Election Advertisements in the Railway Network

PRESS STATEMENT

17 October 2019

Handling of Election Advertisements in the Railway Network

With the upcoming 2019 District Council election in November, the advertising agencies of the MTR Corporation have recently received a number of applications for placing election advertisements in the railway network. Over the last few months, public activities in relation to wider political issues have led to unrests in the society. There were also conflicts and fights between people with different political views.

The Corporation has taken into consideration that the content of election advertisements may give rise to political controversies and conflicts in the railway system which may pose potential risks to the safety of passengers, MTR staff and the railway network. Meanwhile, the Corporation's advertising agencies also reflected that, as longer periods are required for repair works at a number of MTR stations, this has impacted the arrangements for putting up and removing advertisements which may lead to election advertisements not being put up as scheduled.

The Corporation therefore decided today (17 October 2019) that all applications for placing election advertisements across the railway network (including heavy rail, Airport Express, Light Rail and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station) will be declined with effect from today until further notice. Given the current unprecedented circumstances, the arrangement is put in place to minimise the risks of conflicts and to protect the safety of the passengers, MTR staff and facilities in the railway network. The Corporation has communicated with its advertising agencies about the arrangement. For election advertisements which have already been posted in the MTR network before the close of the nomination period, the advertising agencies will inform the parties concerned before removing the materials as soon as possible and make suitable arrangements for reimbursements. The Corporation apologises to the relevant candidates for the inconvenience caused.

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