Rilek1Corner

Tag: Elections Department

  • PE 2017: Fret Not, Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Case Is Not Yet Over

    PE 2017: Fret Not, Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Case Is Not Yet Over

    Court hearing set for 29 June 2017

    On 31 May 2017, the Elections Department announced that PE 2017 is a reserved election and that application forms for the Certificate of Eligibility can be obtained from the Elections Department from 1 Jun 2017 onwards.

    Following this news, many people have asked me whether my case is over. The answer is “Not yet.” To recap, on 5 May 2017, I applied to Court to determine whether the legislation that specified President Wee Kim Wee’s term of office as the first term to be counted was unconstitutional.( refer 8th May post) The case will be heard in Court on 29th June 2017.

    Let me take this opportunity to thank many Singaporeans from all walks of life, young and old, for your well wishes and encouragement. I am deeply touched by your heart warming and overwhelming show of support. Thank you.

     

    Source: Dr Tan Cheng Bock

  • Are SPF And ELD The Lapdogs Of PAP?

    Are SPF And ELD The Lapdogs Of PAP?

    I have a very poor opinion of Roy Ngerng. I think most of the things he writes are senseless drivel and some of the things he writes are dangerously incendiary. I thought that it is not entirely without reason that he got his ass handed to him in court for writing stupid things about PM Lee.

    All that said, I am abhorred by the way he was treated by the police recently. A police report was made against Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung by the Elections Department Department (ELD). I had earlier written that I, as well as many others, were baffled by that action.

    For their alleged offence, Roy and Ms Teo were interrogated by the police for hours. Worse, the police went to search their homes. You can see the brave men-in-blue (though they are in plainclothes here) in action:

    So the two of them posted things that could possibly be in contravention of ELD’s cooling off day regulations. And we can’t even be certain if they did. They are individuals writing about their personal political views. Something which isn’t prohibited by the cooling off day restrictions.

    But let’s say that there is a prima facie case against them. The police therefore need to investigate to see if there is sufficient reasons to charge them. Fine. But is there a need to search their homes? Is there a need to take their laptops, computers and mobile phones? And to mobilize so many people to do it? A tad excessive no? And an utter waste of state resources isn’t it?

    Here’s Roy’s account of the abhorrent ordeal that he had to go through:

    What is more abhorrent and disgusting is the inconsistency. Let’s say that Roy and Ms Teo were both guilty of contravening ELD’s regulations. Let’s say that the police really had to do what they did to establish guilt. Then why the hell weren’t they as rigorous in investigating  other alleged breaches of ELD’s regulations?

    What other breaches you ask? These other breaches:

    Here you see Minister Shanmugam’s face plastered all over a hawker centre. That was during the GE2015. If you scrutinize those posters, you will realise that none of those posters “bear the bear the official stamp issued by the Returning Officer.” Worse, they are in a hawker centre! That is a clear violation of ELD’s regulations!

    So what has the police done to investigate the report made by Mr Daryl Teng? Don’t know. Were they as rigorous? Did they search the home of Minister Shanmugam? Highly unlikely. Why this inconsistency? God (if you are the God-fearing type) knows! It is no wonder that many people are of the opinion that the SPF and ELD are lapdogs of the PAP.

    Now SPF and the ELD has one chance to redeem themselves. A fresh complaint to ELD was made on 30 May. It was made against the site Fabrications against PAP. It alleges that the page shared a post on cooling off day that made specific reference to DPM Tharman’s speech at PAP’s rally that called people to vote for Murali.

    The nature of that post and those that landed Roy and Ms Teo in trouble appear identical. If Roy and Ms Teo were subjected to such treatment as a result of what they posted on cooling off day, then the people behind Fabrications about PAP ought to be subjected to the same treatment. Otherwise it would confirm the opinion of many people – SPF and ELD are lapdogs of the PAP. Lapdogs that would snap and bite people when they speak against the PAP, but would loyally and doggedly defend those who speak in favour of the PAP.

    And that would be really sad. And ironic. Ironic because just this Monday,DPM Tharman said that there is now more freedom of speech today compared to a decade ago. He said:

    “We have evolved into a society that has more freedoms, but it has some restrictions and they serve a purpose.”

    It seems that our evolution is proceeding at a glacial pace. And sometimes seem to be a Sisyphean evolution. Or perhaps he meant to say that there is freedom, up until you dare to threaten PAP’s stranglehold on power?

     

    Source: https://crazyrandomchatter.com

  • Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss: ELD Should State Legal Basis Allowing Lee Hsien Loong’s Poster In Costituency I’m Contesting

    Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss: ELD Should State Legal Basis Allowing Lee Hsien Loong’s Poster In Costituency I’m Contesting

    In between my walkabouts, I took some time to write this letter to the Returning Officer seeking accountability on several issues:

    1) I want to know exactly what legal basis permits Mr Lee Hsien Loong to put up posters in the constituency I’m contesting in. I don’t think the ELD’s vague clarification about “past practice” is satisfactory, given the clear wording of the relevant legislation and poster and banner permits;

    2) There is a poster and banner quota given to all candidates. Does Mr Lee’s poster, even if it falls within the letter and spirit of the legislation and permit, count towards the PAP candidate’s poster and banner quota in the constituency?;

    3) Why does the ELD permit giant billboards of the PAP candidate under the pretext of SG 50 billboards during election period, given that SG 50 has concluded 3 weeks ago and these billboards are being sponsored by taxpayers’ monies?

    Let me be clear: I’m CONFIDENT of going toe to toe with Biow Chuan despite this uneven playing field. I am also CONFIDENT of dealing with Lee Hsien Loong’s record on the national stage. After all, the role of an MP must be to hold the Government accountable. I’ve been tireless on the ground and am not afraid to raise national issues. This issue is a matter of principle I feel strongly needs to be accounted for. It potentially impacts other constituencies across the country, although I only have standing to write in as the candidate for Mountbatten. I hope for a clear and satisfactory answer from the ELD. I also hope Biow Chuan will fight this election on an even playing field.

     

    Source: Jeanette For Mountbatten

  • Kevryn Lim: ELD Confirmed All Parties Allowed To Put Posters Of Candidates Around Singapore

    Kevryn Lim: ELD Confirmed All Parties Allowed To Put Posters Of Candidates Around Singapore

    Is PM Lee contesting in all 16GRCs and 13SMCs this General Election? Is he running for the Presidential Election or General Election, as the MP of Ang Mo Kio GRC?

    We have enquired with Election Department today at 2.25pm and they said this is allowed as PM Lee is representing the party. They have also confirmed that any political party is allowed to do the same for their party as long as you represent your party.

    Therefore, in conclusion, all parties are allowed to put their posters around Singapore not necessarily limited to the constituency you are contesting in.

    – The above information is confirmed by the Election Department.

     

    Source: Kevryn Lim – 林彤臻

  • SDP Asking Elections Department To Clarify Rules For Coming GE

    SDP Asking Elections Department To Clarify Rules For Coming GE

    The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has written to the Elections Department seeking clarification on several elections rules, especially those on the use of promotional material and access to counting centres .

    The letter from SDP chairman Jeffrey George, which was released to media on Friday, said the party was seeking “clear, concise and written rules that will be practised by all Returning Officers”. The letter goes on to outline incidents in previous elections where the party said there was confusion over procedures its polling agents and counting agents were required to follow.

    “In short, the multiple standards of operations by the Elections Officials at the various Polling and the Counting centres resulted in us not being able to fully utilise our resources and ground supporters/ volunteers,” wrote Mr George.

    The SDP is also asking if it can play party music during campaign rallies and also if it can have a decorated campaign bus.

    “We have the intention to advertise via bus wrapping advertisement on a Private Hire Bus for the nine days of electoral campaigning starting from Nomination Day for the upcoming General Election,” said the letter.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com