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SPH, Straits Times editor receive ‘stern warnings’ over poll

SINGAPORE — Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and the editor of the Straits Times, Mr Warren Fernandez, have been issued with stern warnings for violating the Parliamentary Elections Act, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said in a release today (June 20).

SINGAPORE — Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and the editor of the Straits Times, Mr Warren Fernandez, have been issued with stern warnings for violating the Parliamentary Elections Act, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said in a release today (June 20).

The warnings are in lieu of prosecution over a poll on the Punggol East by-election that was conducted and published in ST on Jan 10, “ST poll: More rooting for PAP”, after the Writ of Election had been issued.

The Singapore Police Force administered the warnings this morning on the directions of the AGC.

“The publication of the above-mentioned article in the Straits Times on 10 January 2013 was attributable to neglect on the part of Mr Fernandez,” the AGC said in a statement.

“The publication of the results of any election survey during the period beginning with the day the writ of election is issued for an election and ending with the close of all polling stations on polling day at the election, is an offence punishable with up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding S$1,500.

“An election survey is defined to mean an opinion survey of how electors will vote at an election, or of the preferences of electors respecting any candidate or group of candidates, or any political party or issue with which an identifiable candidate, or group of candidates is associated at an election.”

“Where an offence of publishing the results of an election survey committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of — (a) any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or (b) any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.”

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