WP, SPP call for clarity on GE campaigning rules; SDP wants extended hustings period

SINGAPORE — The Workers’ Party (WP) on Thursday (May 28) spoke out against what it believes to be “a distinct lack of clarity as to precisely how campaigning will be modified” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Several ministers have made vague and unspecific comments since March that campaign methods would need to be modified. However, despite the party’s calls, there has been no definitive announcement by the Elections Department on these anticipated changes,” WP said in a media statement.

WP, which is the only opposition party in Parliament, noted that while Singaporeans continue to focus on overcoming the pandemic, General Elections are “an essential feature of our democracy that should not be taken lightly”.

“Contesting parties should know the ground rules as soon as possible, in order to be well-prepared to offer Singaporean voters their best efforts at the polls,” WP added.

WP’s statement came a day after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said in a media interview that elections were “coming nearer by the day”.

"The sooner we get it done, the earlier we can rally everybody together to deal with these very significant challenges ahead, and also to deal with these very significant uncertainties in the months and years ahead," Mr Heng said.

On May 4, Parliament passed amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act, providing for special arrangements for elections to be held safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among other things, voters will be allowed to cast their ballots even if they are on stay-home notices at a designated facility. Similarly, arrangements will be made to allow aspiring candidates to authorise a proxy to file nomination papers on their behalf if they cannot do so because of the pandemic.

The Elections Department (ELD) had said that the legislative amendments do not cover precautionary measures such as those on campaigning.

It added that plans for campaigning guidelines were in the works and it would take into account the prevailing advisories from the Ministry of Health for all parties to have the necessary preparation time.

During the parliamentary debate on the Bill, WP chairman Sylvia Lim stressed the importance for the changes on campaign rules to be “made known publicly and to political parties as soon as possible, so that candidates and parties have sufficient time to make necessary preparations and source for service suppliers”.  

Responding to Ms Lim’s question on when ELD will announce the changes, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said this would be done “with sufficient time for political parties and aspiring candidates to prepare”.

Mr Chan also reiterated that ELD’s practice has always been to issue an advisory on campaigning guidelines with the other authorities.

On Thursday, WP noted that given the “uncertainty as to what mode of campaigning will or will not be allowed, political parties risk squandering resources and expenditures”.

It said: “For instance, while it has been stated that streaming of videos may be employed, it is not known whether there will be regulations about the content and format of such videos. In addition, with elections ‘coming nearer by the day’, the window of time to find suitable suppliers for services is narrowing.”

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) also issued a statement on Thursday, calling on the Government to extend the usual nine days of campaigning to 21.

This is to allow contesting political parties “equitable access“ to voters, so that they can familiarise themselves with the various platforms and policies of the parties.

Also making reference to Mr Heng’s comments, SDP said: “It is unfortunate and even dangerous for the elections to be seen as an inconvenience to be gotten over with, rather than a critical moment for the nation to come together to decide on its future, especially in light of the coronavirus fallout.”

Apart from an extension of the campaigning period, SDP made several suggestions, including providing all parties with daily access to free-to-air television channels and radio programmes, and to allow parties to “address residents at food centres, void decks and common areas”. 

In response to TODAY’s queries, Singapore People’s Party chairman Jose Raymond pointed out that it is not just political parties that need to be informed of the changes to how the GE will be conducted, but members of the public as well.  

“For example, will there be staggered timing for electors to cast their vote, how will crowds be managed at the polling stations given the need for safe distancing, what extra precautions will be taken to safeguard the health and safety of the public especially the elderly, and most importantly, how will campaigning be conducted during the pandemic fairly,” he said.  

He added: “There needs to be absolute clarity, and it needs to be made public expeditiously."

In a statement early on Friday, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) said it was concerned about how the Government would ensure the GE “will be held in a fair, democratic and importantly, safe manner”.

Criticising the Government’s “mediocre” response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the party added that questioned the legitimacy of the GE if there were no clear guidelines made with ample time for Singaporeans and parties to voice their opinions on “opaque regulations”.