Oh, the classic off-by-one error. All of us who were expecting the polling day to be September 12, started counting from the day after the nomination day. Missed out the fact that nomination day itself is counted. Classic CS 101 error.
Now that the games have begun, it is not surprising to see the Elections Department (that reports to the Prime Minister who is also the secretary general of the current majority-in-parliament party) putting out new rules.
This is exactly what, many other Singaporeans and myself have advocated for: that the elections department should be stand alone, independent entity. The text from the PDF (linked above) is included here:
Advisory on Participation in Political Activities and Election Campaigning by Civic, Business and Professional BodiesUnder the Parliamentary Elections Act, any person who conducts activities to promote or procure the election of a candidate, must be individually authorised in writing by the candidate or his election agent on and from Nomination Day.Individuals who are not citizens of Singapore are prohibited from taking part in any election activity and cannot be so authorised.2 In addition, any civic, business or professional body that wishes to participate in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes needs to ensure that its constitution allows it to do so, and ensure that this does not contravene any laws that the body is subject to.3 Such political activities include endorsing certain candidates and publishing advertisements or issuing press statements to express its support for a candidate. If such advertisements or statements amount to election advertising, the relevant rules under the Parliamentary Elections Act and its regulations have to be complied with.4 While such bodies should have their own processes to consult their members and consider the merits of supporting a candidate, it remains each individual’s right as a voter, regardless of his membership of any organisation, to freely decide whom to support and how to cast his vote.ISSUED BYELECTIONS DEPARTMENTPRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE26 August 2015
I think this document is pretty standard and has nothing new. What would be useful is if this document’s conditions are meant to be observed from August 26th onwards and not retroactive. This is being asked because the PAP did use a VWO facilities for a very clear political purpose – that of introducing their candidates.
I am not hopeful that the Elections Department would state if their new rules were violated.
Fair play and transparency is even more critical in this hustings. The world is watching.
This reminds me in general of only re-active instead of pro-active government.
But this happens not only with your mention game play, remember the Breadspeech a few weeks ago?
It it’s also re-active and I don’t like big documents without a simple revision control systems which shows all details. But I share “A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements” updated: JULY 2015: http://www.ava.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/aguidetofoodlabellingandadvertisementsversionjuly2
How come in August 2015 no one (including jewel XXXX) remembers page 5?
The “BreadSpeech” is also known as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BreadXXXX#Controversies
I’m not making any political statement with this, but readers out there, open your eyes and vote whatever you think should influence the situations in everyday life.
Peace! – Marco
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