The Elections Department (ELD) on Thursday (Aug 20) announced a series of revisions to some elections-related processes, “as part of ongoing efforts to update and enhance election processes”.
Increase in Parliamentary Election Expenses Limit
To account for inflation, the maximum spending limit will be raised from S$3.50 to S$4.00 for every voter on the register of electors for the electoral division in which a candidate is seeking election to be a Member of Parliament, the ELD said.
“The law imposes a ceiling on a candidate’s election expenses to ensure a level playing field. Spending in excess of the maximum amount in the law is an illegal practice.”
Maximum number of posters and banners in Electoral Divisions
A maximum number of posters and banners that can be displayed is set for each candidate or group of candidates contesting in an electoral division. In past elections, candidates were provided this maximum number after the close of nomination proceedings (on Nomination Day).
“To better facilitate candidates’ planning, ELD has published on its website in advance the formulae to compute the maximum number of posters and banners for each electoral division,” the department said.
The maximum number of posters and banners allowed is:
1 poster to every 50 electors in the register (rounded to nearest 100), subject to minimum of:
- 500 per SMC,
- 2,000 per 4-MP GRC,
- 2,500 per 5-MP GRC, or
- 3,000 per 6-MP GRC.
1 banner to every 5,000 electors in the register (rounded to whole
number), subject to minimum of:
- 5 per SMC,
- 20 per 4-MP GRC,
- 25 per 5-MP GRC, or
- 30 per 6-MP GRC.
Closer placement for the display of posters and banners
Candidates are not allowed to display posters and banners within a designated radius from a polling station, to minimise undue influence on voters.
As there has been a significant increase in the number of polling stations to improve voter accessibility, the current 200-metre prohibition zone has resulted in limited areas for the legitimate display of posters and banners, especially in built-up residential estates, the ELD said.
“Hence, the radius of the prohibition zone for the display of posters and banners will be reduced from 200 to 50 metres.”
Malay Community Committee and Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee
Every group of people who wish to stand for parliamentary election in a group representation constituency (GRC) is required to have at least one candidate belonging to either the Malay community, or the Indian and other minority communities.
In addition to the nomination paper and Political Donation Certificate, the group is required to produce a Certificate of the Malay Community Committee (MCC) or a Certificate of the Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee (IOMCC) to the Returning Officer on Nomination Day, the ELD said.
To be issued the certificate, the person must apply to the appropriate committees by submitting the completed forms (hardcopy) to the Elections Department.
Ballot Paper to include candidates’ photos
To make it easier for voters, especially the elderly, to identify the candidates they wish to vote for, candidates’ photos will be included in the ballot papers for the next General Election, ELD announced.
The new ballot papers will be larger to accommodate the photos.
Candidates’ photos on the ballot papers were introduced for the first time at the 2011 Presidential Election, garnering generally positive public feedback.
Other format changes to help voters mark their choices clearly include white boxes against a darkened background, and wider gaps between the boxes to mark “X” to prevent voters from marking across boxes of different rows.
Details of the format changes will be made known closer to Polling Day of the General Election.
CHANGES REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO BE VISIBLE TO VOTERS: ANALYST
Political analyst Eugene Tan, an Associate Professor at the Singapore Management University’s School of Law, said the changes would require candidates to be visible to the voters.
“That just means having to walk the ground, not just during the hustings but also in between elections. I think this will help the candidates be more recognisable, and I think that is very important because you are choosing a representative to represent you in Parliament and I think it’s important that the candidates are people who are familiar with the issues, and with the voters,” he said.
“I think having the photos on the ballot papers would also remind voters as to who precisely they are voting for. In the past, there’s been a lot of reliance on the party name, party logo – but I think with this change, it’s not just the party that matters, but also the candidates, because ultimately it’s also about putting in place people in Parliament,” he added.
When asked if the change will benefit the incumbents since their posters and banners are displayed in their constituencies, Assoc Prof Tan said the change would be benefit the People’s Action Party because “of the fact that they are represented in most constituencies”.
“But it will also benefit any other party that conscientiously walks the ground in between General Elections,” he added.
“I see the changes as an attempt to raise the standards – trying to ensure that people do not just vote for the parties, but also for the candidates. I think it is important that the two go hand in hand,” Assoc Prof Tan said.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
