SNA Election News

As Singapore Gets Ready to Vote, New Media Amplifies Voice of Opposition

2011-05-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

Time.com, 6 May 2011
Singapore is one of the most wired countries on earth. Nearly every resident of the city state carries a mobile phone (some carry two) and enjoys broadband internet access. Singapore also has a sizable chunk of voters who will vote for the first time on May 7, according to Citigroup, because they are just reaching voting age. Some are also voting for the first time because in previous elections, like the 2006 polls, far fewer seats were contested by the opposition. (In uncontested seats, the running party wins automatically.) Full story

Nervous times for rulers as Singapore considers change

2011-05-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 May 2011
Today, 2.3 million Singaporeans will head to the polls for the 11th general election since independence in 1965. Unlike days past, the outcome of this election is shrouded in uncertainty.
The electoral threats to the ruling People's Action Party are embodied in voters' perceptions and grievances - including rising prices, hubris of the ruling party, million-dollar ministerial salaries, overpopulation and better treatment for foreigners - and credible opposition challenges. The opposition has capitalised on such sentiments and framed them as election issues to woo undecided voters. The ostensible calm hanging over the city state is perhaps a mask. There will be no illegal public forums and gatherings beyond designated venues. Street protests exist only on television screens. Full story

Singapore Election: What To Watch For Tomorrow

2011-05-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 6 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 6 (Bernama) -- Singapore electorates are set to cast their ballots Saturday in the republic's general election (GE).
Singapore has been under the People's Action Party (PAP) since 1959. In the last general election in 2006, it won 66.6 per cent of the votes and 82 out of 84 parliamentary seats.
Friday is the cooling-off day, where political parties or their candidates are no longer allowed to campaign. However, political broadcasts can be televised, alongside news reports on the election. Full story

Singapore Election is Most Contested Since Independence

2011-05-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

Voice of America, 6 May 2011
Singaporeans are going to the polls Saturday for the most contested election since 1965, when the city-state gained independence from Britain. The People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled post-independence Singapore, is expected to win. But analysts say it is facing increasing challenges that have eroded its popularity. Full story

Singapore voters cool off before Saturday's election

2011-05-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

Monsters and Critics, 6 May 2011
Singapore - Singapore voters had a chance to cool down Friday before going to the polls this weekend for an election expected to be hotly contested, by the city-state's standards.
After a nine-day campaign, the Elections Department designated Friday as a cooling-off day with no campaigning allowed, 'to let voters reflect rationally' before casting their ballot. Full story

Singapore Political Parties Make Final Push For Votes

2011-05-05T04:34:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 5 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 5 (Bernama) -- As the campaign in Singapore's 14th General Election enters its final day, leaders of the main political parties are making the final push for votes.
The parties are feverishly putting in their last effort on the campaign trail to secure the votes they need, in what some analysts and political observers predict to be the most interesting and closely contested in the history of the island state.
For the first time, the opposition parties will contest 82 out of the 87 seats, the largest number of seats contested ever against the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Full story

Singapore Political Parties Intensify Campaigns Before Cooling Period On Friday

2011-05-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 4 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 4 (Bernama) -- Political parties, be it the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) or those from the opposition, are intensifying campaigns, in their quest to win the hearts and minds of Singaporean voters.
For this upcoming 14th General Election (GE), there will be a 'cooling-off day' which falls on Friday, a day before the actual polling on May 7.
Under the law, political parties can no longer carry out their campaign during the cooling-off period. Full story

Influential Blogger Wendy Cheng aka Xiaxue Promotes Lee Kuan Yew’s Facebook Page

2011-05-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Penn Olson, 4 May 2011
We last reported that young politician Nicole Seah overtook Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to become Singapore’s most popular politician on Facebook. However, within 24 hours that has already become history, at least for now. Influential Singaporean blogger, Wendy Cheng, better known as Xiaxue got annoyed that Singaporeans are giving Seah more support than MM Lee on Facebook. In response, Xiaxue wrote a blog post to help boost the ‘like counts’ on MM Lee’s Facebook page. Full story

Don’t lose sight of longer-term priorities, says Hsien Loong

2011-05-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 3 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 3 — Amid the “usual hurly-burly of the elections”, voters should not lose sight of the longer-term priority of securing a better future for Singaporeans, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday in his traditional press conference at the hustings’ mid-point.
Noting it was important to take stock halfway through the campaign, he sought to refocus voters’ minds on the issues that would have a bearing not only “here and now, but also concerning the future” — the cost of living, economy and jobs, housing, education, and healthcare. Full story

Singapore's Long-Term Prospects Depend On Right Policies, Says PM Lee

2011-05-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 1 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said today how well Singapore does in the long term depends on its policies and politics.
"We have to implement the right policies - to transform the economy, raise productivity and upgrade our workers.
"We also need the right politics - to produce governments that pursue sound policies, a stable environment for growth and confidence in Singapore's long-term prospects,"... Full story

Economy with only services sector volatile: Lee Kuan Yew

2011-05-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 1 May 2011
SINGAPORE, May 1 (Xinhua) -- An economy with only the services sector is volatile, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said in response to an opposition parliamentary election candidate's proposal to give up the manufacturing sector. "You always end up with high unemployment when the services go down. Manufacturing is more steady," Lee said in a campaign interview ... Full story

Singapore: Social media, youth, and elections

2011-04-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Global Voices, 1 May 2011
Singapore’s youth sector will be a significant source of votes in the coming General Elections. This explains why political parties are also actively campaigning in the internet.
The People's Action Party (PAP), which has been in power since 1959, is expected to face touch competition from several opposition parties. The last general elections were held in 2006. Full story

Singapore General Election 2011 : Overseas Voting

2011-04-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

ISRIA
Overseas Voting for Singaporeans
Overseas Voting is not compulsory. The on-line registration (before the Writ of Election was issued) was to facilitate those (Singaporeans) whose names are in the current Registers of Electors, who meet the qualifying criteria, and who are staying near one of the nine (9) designated overseas polling stations, to cast their votes when Singapore conducts its parliamentary or presidential elections. There is no other option to qualify oneself to be an overseas elector if the main criterion of 30 days' residency in Singapore during the last three (3) years (between 1 Jan 2008 and 31 Dec 2010) is not met. (Note: For an overseas Singaporean who does not have a Singapore residential address, his/her name would not be in the register of electors as the ELD would not be able to assign the constituency to him/her.) Full story

PAP banking on track record

2011-04-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 30 Apr 2011
THE themes of this general election began emerging on Day 1 of the campaign, as the first rally speeches rang out in five housing estates across the island.
Thousands turned up on Thursday night to listen to what the contending parties had to offer.
The first rallies by the Workers' Party (WP) and the People's Action Party (PAP) took place just 1.5km apart, at fields in Hougang SMC and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, respectively. Full story

Low Thia Khiang challenges the spell

2011-04-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 29 Apr 2011
Usinng a Chinese proverb, Singapore Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Low Thia Khiang said during a press conference after a walkabout that began in Hougang and ended at the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC): "We know that there is a tiger in the mountain, and yet we are still moving towards it."
What does it mean by the GRC?
The GRC was first introduced by Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew during the 1988 election. It is a unique electoral system in the world. Full story

OPINION: An election with no suspense - Lim Mun Fah

2011-04-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 28 Apr 2011
The campaign for Singapore's election scheduled on 7 May 2011 has been kicked off following the announcement of the nomination results showing that 82 out of 87 seats will be contested on the polling day. It also means that the People’s Action Party (PAP) no longer wins uncontested this time.
The opposition seems to have shown a new momentum. It has fielded many high-educated candidates, including PhD holders and winners of scholarships offered by top universities in Singapore and overseas. Full story

Singapore Voters To Receive Poll Cards From Friday

2011-04-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 28 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 28 (Bernama) -- Some 2.2 million Singaporean voters from the 26 contested wards are expected to receive their poll cards from Friday.
The Elections Department said that all eligible voters should have received their poll cards by May 3. Votes can be cast on May 7 from 8am to 8pm at the polling station indicated on the poll card. Full story

PAP confident of winning Singapore election

2011-04-28T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 28 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 27 (Bernama) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has described that stronger opposition would crystallise the issues and what was at stake in the polls.
Therefore, it was good for PAP to be contested strongly, he said.
"They will fight to win, we will fight to ensure they do not win," he said at a press conference after the nominations for the Lion City's 14th General Election here today. Full story

Property enters election fray in Singapore

2011-04-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

Property-report.com, 28 Apr 2011
Property has entered the political fray in Singapore’s election season, as Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan recently criticized the Opposition party’s idea on how to provide cheaper housing.
On April 21, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) released a plan proposing the Government sell new HDB flats to first-time buyers at cost-plus, according to Today. But yesterday, Mr Mah responded noting the NSP has proposed to lower HDB flat prices through cost-plus pricing and under-paying for public housing land. Full story

Singapore PM: Good for ruling party to face contest in election

2011-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Xinhua, 28 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said it was good for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) to be contested strongly in the general election, local media reported on Thursday.
The ruling party filed nominations for all 87 parliamentary seats while the opposition parties went for 82, leaving only the five-seat Tanjong Pagar group representation constituency, helmed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, to see a walkover. Full story

VIDEO: First Hand Witness to SDA's disqualification at Tanjong Pagar

2011-04-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

Youtube, 26 Apr 2011

Elections Department Clarifies SDP's Objection Against PAP Candidate

2011-04-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 27 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 27 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Democratic Party raised an objection that Sim Ann, one of the People's Action Party candidates for Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Contituencies (GRC), was technically still in the civil service.
As a result, SDP said the candidate should be disqualified from standing as a candidate in the general election.
In response, Singapore's Election Department said any objection to a nomination paper was permitted only if it fell within one of the grounds specified in Section 30 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. Full story

OPINION: More lively debate this time around in Singapore polls - NORMAN ABJORENSEN

2011-04-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

The Canberra Times, 27 Apr 2011
Democracy is a touchy subject in Singapore, mainly because of the way it is interpreted there - a unique variant on a political system that is in theory a multi-party state that functions as a single-party state, and who can quibble with the many successes of the island state? An economic basket case less than half a century ago, its standard of living now exceeds that of much of the so-called First World. Full story

OPINION: Visualizing Singapore’s general elections buzz - Chan Chi-Loong

2011-04-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

Techgoondu, 26 Apr 2011

Here’s an absolutely super cool visualization of the social media buzz around the upcoming Singapore 2011 general elections by the folks at Swarm and JamiQ. It’s live, free for all to access, and will be up till election day. Full story

Nicole Seah is Singapore’s Second Most Popular Politician on Facebook

2011-04-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

Penn Olson, 26 Apr 2011
Just 3 days ago, 24-year-old Nicole Seah who is also Singapore General Election 2011′s youngest candidate had about 12,000 likes on Facebook. Shortly in just 3 days, her Facebook page ballooned and surpassed the 20,000 mark. At current count, Seah is the second most popular politician on Facebook, only falling behind Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, which has more than 54,000 likes on his page. George Yeo, with about 19,000 likes can only settle for third place Full story

Election Candidates Can Apply For Permits Starting On Nomination Day

2011-04-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 25 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 25 (Bernama) -- Singapore police said candidates or their election agents may apply for permits from the police to hold outdoor or indoor election meetings from Nomination Day onwards.
Nomination Day for the city-state 14th General Election is fixed for April 27.
They can hold the meetings between 7am and 10pm from this Thursday to May 5... Full story

NSP's Nicole Seah....

2011-04-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

208 Candidates Vying To Contest In Singapore's 14th General Election

2011-04-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 24 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 24 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Elections Department says it has received 208 applications for political donation certificates by the end of Saturday's 1pm deadline.
In other words, it means at least 208 are applying to contest in this upcoming General Election (GE).
The department also received 32 applications for Indian and other minority certificates, and 39 for Malay community certificates, .... Full story

Lee Kuan Yew: General Election Determines Country's Progress

2011-04-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 24 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 24 (Bernama) -- Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said that the results of past general elections from 1959 have got the country to where it is today.
He added that every general election "is a serious choice of the people", determining whether the country would move forward or backward.
On Saturday, Lee took the opportunity of the Tanjong Pagar Family Day to speak on the fundamentals of Singapore's success. Full story

SDP has better image now, says first-timer

2011-04-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 24 Apr 2011
THE Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) used to have a public image problem, but not any more, new candidate Tan Jee Say said, attributing the change to party chief Dr Chee Soon Juan (pic).
“It has got a softer image, to the credit of Dr Chee.
“He has changed, he has improved, he has learnt his lesson,” Tan added yesterday, to laughter from a packed room of journalists and party supporters as Dr Chee, the SDP secretary-general seated to his left, winced visibly.
But Tan added quickly: “I am sure it is all for the better of Singapore.” Full story

Singapore Political Parties Given Airtime For General Election

2011-04-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 23 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 23 (Bernama) -- The Media Development Authority of Singapore says there will be two Party Political Broadcasts for the 2011 General Election.
The first will be on Thursday, April 28, and the second will be on Friday, May 6, reported Channel NewsAsia.
The local television channel said eligibility for Party Political Broadcasts will be determined by the number of candidates fielded by a recognised political party under a recognised party symbol. Full story

PM Lee: MM Lee Has No Special Role In Singapore's Upcoming General Election

2011-04-23T03:39:00.001-07:00

Bernama.com, 23 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 23 (Bernama) -- Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will have no special role in the upcoming general election, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.
"SM (Goh) will, as he says, be watching and giving us advice," China's Xinhua news agency quoted Lee as saying to the Straits Times in an interview carried by the newspaper on Saturday. "MM (Lee), I am sure, will be watching and giving us advice too." Full story

The men in white are always right - The Economist

2011-04-23T03:29:00.000-07:00

The Economist, 20 Apr 2011
There is no sign yet of a fraying of the basic compact between the PAP and Singaporeans, who trade some individual freedoms for the prosperity and stability provided by an efficient ruling party. However, at this election the usual triumph of the PAP will not disguise the fact that many Singaporeans do feel dissatisfied. There is even a possibility, some analysts think, that the PAP’s share of the vote could dip below 60% Full story

One of the world's longest surviving leaders at 87

2011-04-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 23 Apr 2011
With the coming election tipped to swing against his governing party, the founding leader, Lee Kuan Yew, who is 87, has signalled his intention to continue in office.
Speaking with a slight slur and looking his age, Lee posted his message in a low-key video that answered a burning question in almost every Singaporean’s mind – and a few foreigners, as well.
“I’m happy to be still representing Tanjong Pagar,” Lee said, referring to the constituency that he first won 56 years ago. Full story

Video: NSP's fresh-faced Nicole Seah generates buzz with the media

2011-04-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

Youtube

Social media open up Singapore political debate

2011-04-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 22 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 22, 2011 (AFP) - When the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) introduced a fresh-faced 27-year-old woman as one of its candidates for next month's elections, it was hoping to generate buzz among young voters.
It got more than it bargained for when management consultant Tin Pei Ling and the PAP came under attack on the Internet over everything from her accent to a Facebook photo of her posing with a designer handbag.
Tightly governed Singapore is facing one its most intense election campaigns ahead of the May 7 vote, thanks to the lifting of a ban on online political campaigning and the heavy penetration of social media among the population. Full story

Buckling up for the GE

2011-04-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 22 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE: With the dates of both nomination day and polling day finally confirmed, political parties here buckled down to preparing for the general election.
Across the island yesterday, politicians huddled with their grassroots leaders to plan their strategies for April 27 and May 7, more candidates were introduced, and rebuttals made against proposals. Full story

Tan Jee Say and Ang Yong Guan join SDP

2011-04-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Online Citizen, 22 Apr 2011
TOC has confirmed through reliable sources that two heavyweight candidates have joined the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Mr Tan Jee Say, former Principle Private Secretary to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and prominent grassroots leader Dr Ang Yong Guan have thrown their lot in with the party.
Mr Tan Jee Say’s pedigree is impressive: he is a graduate of Oxford University having read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University, headed the economic and manpower planning unit in the Ministry of Trade and Industry from 1979 to 1985, and also worked closely with the late Dr Albert Winsemius, an illustrious foreign economic adviser to the Singapore Government.
Mr Tan is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and between 1985 – 1990 served as the Principle Private Secretary to the then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. Full story

PAP Marine Parade Facebook calls commenter "ignorant"

2011-04-20T08:02:00.002-07:00

Mrbrown.com, 20 Apr 2011
A simple announcement over the dissolving of Parliament results in the Marine Parade PAP Facebook moderator calling a commenter "ignorant".
"Sad to see people who are ignorant but behaves as if they know the ground."

Full story

Singapore's Opposition Fielding Qualified Candidates For General Election

2011-04-20T08:02:00.001-07:00

Bernama.com, 20 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 20 (Bernama) -- Singapore's opposition parties have attracted qualified candidates for the coming General Election, some of whose credentials were similar to those of the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) candidates, reported Channel NewsAsia.
According to the local television network, five of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) candidates have post-graduate degrees, and its current slate is over double the size of the team it fielded in the last general election.
For the Workers' Party, qualified candidates like lawyer Chen Show Mao, who has degrees from Oxford, Harvard and Stanford universities, make up its largest team since the 1988 elections.
Meanwhile, two candidates of the Singapore People's Party's seven-member team have Master's degrees as compared to the 2006 elections when none of its eight candidates had post-graduate degrees. Full story

Related:
Singapore opposition vying for more seats in election - Sin Chew Jit Poh

Singapore: Bloggers criticize PAP manifesto

2011-04-20T03:42:00.000-07:00

Global Voices Online, 20 Apr 2011

Singapore’s ruling party, People’s Action Party (PAP), released its election manifesto last April 17 which was immediately criticized by many bloggers for being “too vague.” PAP has been in power for five decades already. The General Elections will take place on May 7.

The PAP manifesto promises a better future for all Singaporeans

You can count on the PAP to do the best for Singaporeans from all walks of life, and to keep us united through good times and bad. Together, we will make Singapore a vibrant and inclusive society, with opportunities for a better life for each and every citizen. We will be a city for the young and old.

To achieve this vision, we seek your mandate to:

• Create opportunities for higher incomes for all
• Improve the lives of lower-income Singaporeans
• Bring out the best in every child
• Develop a vibrant city and an endearing home
• Help our seniors stay active, healthy and engaged
* Involve all Singaporeans in shaping our future

Below is the video of the manifesto prepared by PAP

The manifesto mentioned about the commitment of PAP to respect diverse views in society. But Mr. Brown complained that commenting is disallowed on the PAP video site.

jadenster uploaded this video which contrasted the PAP manifesto with the current situation in Singapore

cloudywind also has a short video which slams the legacy of PAP

Lucky Tan is not impressed with the manifesto and warns that the proposed solutions have been done before

In fact, where solutions are cited in the manifesto, they are what the PAP has been doing in the past decades e.g. retraining of low income workers from one low income job to another etc. When the same solutions are used, we will only get the same results - widening income gap, rising cost of living and a deteriorating quality of life.

Through the Wordle site, alvinology compares the PAP manifesto with the manifesto issued earlier by the opposition Workers’ Party’s (WP). The PAP document consists of 25 pages compared to the 63 pages in the WP manifesto. Bloggers also noticed that the WP manifesto has detailed recommendations in 15 different policy areas.

Yawning Bread criticizes the leadership brand of PAP

It’s getting very tired. And what the PAP does not realise is that this constant harping about the risk of failure has actually damaged Singapore. Far from making us a confident, innovative society willing to try new things and benefitting from experimentation, it has made us risk-averse and slightly paranoid. It’s hardly any wonder stress levels in Singapore are so high

Blogging for Myself accuses PAP of being ‘clueless’ to the current realities in the world

In one word, the PAP is CLUELESS. I am not expecting some grand theory that is good enough to help illuminate mankind into the future, but they do not have a sufficient grasp of the driving forces today beyond being bewildered by it all and can only say this: The future is highly uncertain.

The PAP has been short changing themselves because they are apt to choose people they trust rather than the ablest. You know the dynamics of human relationships, it is impossible to have a large company of people that you can develop deep trust.

Molly publishes an annotated document of the PAP manifesto. She also described the manifesto as a defense of the status quo

The PAP Manifesto is ultimately about maintaining the status quo, making it cosmetically and statistically better but substantially worse. Expect minor tweaks but do not expect them to translate to any palpable benefit for Singaporeans; do not expect anything near a paradigm shift in thinking. (And no, of course there’s no groupthink in the PAP.)

Nigel Tan is disappointed that the manifesto contains only vague promises.

The document seems to contain a series of vague promises, with neither details of specific policies nor information on how the various stated aims were going to be implemented.

As elections get nearer, netizens are encouraged to post photos of the elections in the GE2011 Media website.

Link

OPINION: Shaping up for a landmark Singapore election — Eugene KB Tan

2011-04-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 20 Apr 2011
APRIL 20 — The next two-and-a-half weeks will keep Singaporeans enthralled now that the date for 11th General Election has been fixed for May 7. Unlike previous elections, Singaporeans can expect a majority of, if not all, seats to be contested.
The Opposition has promised a better-quality slate of candidates to help break the one-party dominance of Parliament. The People’s Action Party (PAP) has staked Singapore’s and its future on its fourth-generation leadership renewal. Full story

Singapore Sets May 7 Election as PAP Seeks to Extend 46-Year Hold on Power

2011-04-19T03:59:00.000-07:00

Bloomberg, 19 Apr 2011
Singapore will hold general elections on May 7, as the party that has ruled the city-state since independence in 1965 takes advantage of record economic growth to seek a new mandate.
President S.R. Nathan dissolved parliament on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the government said today in an e-mailed statement.
Inflation, immigration and rising property prices are among issues that are expected to be addressed during campaigning and at rallies around the island of 5.1 million people, of which more than a third are foreigners. Full story

Related:
Singapore Dissolves Parliament, Paving Way For 11th General Election - Bernama.com
Singapore Parliament Dissolved, Election On May 7 - RTTNews
Election Time is here again - ZDNet Asia
Singapore to hold general election on May 7 - Monsters and Critics
Report: Singapore general elections to be held on May 7 - The Jerusalem Post
Singapore dissolves Parliament, election on May 7 - Malaysia Star
Singapore dissolves parliament as election looms - Inquirer.net
Singapore dissolves parliament, clears way for election - MSN Philippines News
Singapore dissolves parliament - Herald Sun
Singapore dissolves parliament, clears way for election - Sin Chew Jit Poh
Singapore’s general election on May 7 - Free Malaysia Today
Singapore Parliament Dissolved for General Election - CRIEnglish.com.cn
Singapore general election set for May 7 - Xinhua
Singapore calls general election as ruling party seeks to extend 6th decade in power - The Canadian Press
Singapore calls general election - BBC News
Singapore Parliament Dissolved, Elections On May 7 - Automated Trader
Singapore set to hold general election - Radio Australia News
Singapore sets early elections for May 7 - Reuters India
Singapore sets early elections for May 7 - Khaleej Times Online
Singapore to hold general election on May 7 - AFP

OPINION: In Singapore, the Party in Power Offers New Faces - Seth Mydans

2011-04-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

The New York Times, 18 Apr 2011
The chosen 24 include civil servants, military officers and members of the business community; their average age is 40, and seven are 35 or younger. A number of them will run on multicandidate slates to represent what are known as group representation constituencies — a category in which the P.A.P. has never lost an election.
The group representation process, which one critic has characterized as “force-feeding” selected candidates into government, has become a target this year for discontent over the selection process.
“It’s just an expression of people’s frustration with the system where any candidate you may not agree with gets a free pass,” said Kin Mun Lee, who goes by the name Mr. Brown on his popular political Web site. “If your guys are good, put them up and give a good fight.” Full story

Lee Kuan Yew confirms candidacy for Singapore's parliamentary election

2011-04-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Philstar.com, 18 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE (Xinhua) - Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has confirmed his candidacy for the coming general election, local television Channel NewsAsia said Monday.
In a video posted on the website of the ruling People's Action Party, Lee said, "I am happy to be still representing Tanjong Pagar."
Tanjong Pagar is a group representation constituency that required teams of candidates to be fielded. Full story

VIDEO: Chee Soon Juan delivers SDP's election message in Hokkien

2011-04-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Youtube, 14 Apr 2011

Singapore’s Ruling Party Releases Manifesto Ahead of Election

2011-04-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

BusinessWeek, 17 Apr 2011
April 17 (Bloomberg) -- Singapore’s ruling party released an election manifesto that pledges to boost incomes and improve education in the city-state, which it has governed since 1965.
The People’s Action Party said it aims to create opportunities for higher incomes for all, improve the lives of low-income Singaporeans, bring out the best in every child, develop a vibrant city, help seniors stay active and involve all Singaporeans in shaping the nation’s future. Full story

Related:
PAP Unveils General Election Manifesto securing Our Future Together - Bernama.com
Singapore ruling party releases manifesto for general election - Global Times

OPINION: re Singapore taxi drivers part of the government’s election campaign? - Elaine Ee-Meyers

2011-04-12T04:06:00.000-07:00

CNNGo.com, 12 Apr 2011
Singapore taxi drivers are notorious for spewing pure, unadulterated anti-PAP vitriol from the minute they start the meter right up to the second you get your change, but these two were singing the praises of our Glorious Leaders.
“I think Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are actually being used well by the PAP,” insisted one of the taxi drivers in total earnest. “They use the money to build us such good roads and things.” Full story

Singapore Unveils Latest Batch Of Candidates For General Election

2011-04-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 11 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 11 (Bernama) -- As the General Election fever gathers momentum, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) today introduced its latest batch of new candidates.
They include former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Heng Swee Keat, commodities market trader Ong Teng Koon, who is the son of incumbent member of parliament Ong Ah Heng, and Alex Yam from the labour movement. Full story

OPINION: ‘High-flyers shy away when the money is good’ - Seah Chiang Nee

2011-04-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 9 Apr 2011
Of the 18 newly recruited PAP candidates announced, only five hailed from the private sector – an assistant professor, two lawyers and two bankers, one of whom is an executive in the government-controlled DBS Bank.
The remaining 13 – or 72% – were top people who had served and resigned from public office to contest under the PAP banner.
They were from the civil service, the army, the statutory boards or PAP-controlled unions. The PAP-controlled National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) contributed five. Full story

Huge uproar over PM Lee's comments on upgrading

2011-04-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! Singapore News, 6 Apr 2011
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's open admission that PAP wards are favoured for HDB upgrading exercises has touched a raw nerve among netizens.
His admission came as a reply to a university student living in the Hougang Single-Member Constituency (SMC) ward who asked if he could pay less tax since the opposition-held ward does not enjoy upgrading programmes.
Since this story was first posted, reaction has been swift with over 1,500 Facebook shares and 150 comments. The majority were highly critical of PM Lee's stand.
The highest-rated comment came from Yahoo! user Chia, who posted, "Upgrading is not delivered solely based on policies. It is driven by money from the reserves. The money comes from the people and not from PAP."
He added that, "It (upgrading) is a national building programme. A nation does not belong to any party but the people." Full story

OPINION: On dealing with missing pots and flower garlands during election time - mrbrown

2011-04-05T20:46:00.001-07:00

CNNGo.com, 6 Apr 2011
Apparently, the local grassroots supporters, in their enthusiasm to clear the path for the ruling party candidate to do their house-to-house visits, took away her large collection of potted plants along the common corridor of her flat.
It seems they thought it unsightly.
Her subsequent comments under that Facebook status were also in caps. This coming from someone who says she actually likes the People's Action Party. I think it is now in the past tense. Full story

OPINION: A govt trying hard to click with its citizens - Karim Raslan

2011-04-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 5 Apr 2011
The PAP government is trying to manage the growing openness now that Singaporeans prefer the social media but its zeal to address democracy is a mockery to many political watchers. Full story

OPINION: Polls Loom in Singapore, but don't expect much to change - Asia Sentinel

2011-04-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Asia Sentinel, 4 Apr 2011
A little under a month remains before Singapore heads to the polls in early May. As always in the strait-laced city state, the run-up to the polls will be a staid affair although for the first time in 23 years the small and fragmented opposition has been able to field candidates in all 84 constituencies.
There will be no US-style presidential debates. Nor will there any of the carnival atmospherics that typify the polls in Australia. The Speaker's Corner, Singapore's version of London's Hyde Park, and the only place in the city where opponents are allowed to speak their minds, was put off limits in mid-March by the government. Full story

Related:
For S'pore Elections, a Bit More Space for Dissent - The Jakarta Post

OPINION: Another dot to an evolving picture — PN Balji

2011-04-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 4 Apr 2011
Five years on and with elections looming again, it was the turn of the opposition to debate the issues of the day with the ruling party. Connect the dots of these three developments and you will see a bigger picture emerging: An evolution of the political climate to accommodate more voices and thoughts.
It was a development that had to happen, now or later. First, a maturing and questioning public demands and deserves a more open discussion on how to deal with the issues that Singapore will have to grapple with in the next 10 years and further. Full story

Singapore's ruling party unveils candidates for coming general election

2011-04-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Xinhua, 4 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's ruling People's Action Party has unveiled most of its new heavyweight candidates over the weekend, including former central bank chief Heng Swee Keat.
Heng has been identified as one of the five heavyweight candidates for the upcoming general election and possible "core members of the fourth general team." Others include Ong Ye Kung, a 41-year-old who had been a free trade negotiator and an assistant secretary general at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), 38- year-old Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai, former chief executive of Energy Market Authority and two retired army generals Chan Chun Singa and Tan Chuan Jin. Full story

Related:
PAP Introduces 5th Batch Of Candidates For General Election - Bernama.com

Singapore central banker to join politics: senior minister

2011-04-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

iStockAnalyst, 1 Apr 2011
SINGAPORE, Apr. 1, 2011 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Friday that he was glad that the Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Heng Swee Keat will be joining politics, in the clearest indication so far of Heng going to be in the ruling party's team for the upcoming general election. Goh also said on his Facebook page that Heng has the potential to be a minister.
"A high flyer and sound central banker, he has the potential to be a minister and core member of fourth generation team," Goh wrote, "Glad he is prepared to take (the) rough and tumble of politics." Full story

OPINION: Elections- Singapore’s PAP has hands full - Maxwell Coopers

2011-03-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

Free Malaysia Today, 1 Apr 2011
For the first time in living memory the ruling PAP will not be returned to power on Nomination Day. That is historic!
And for the first time in living memory a new crop of cadres – especially from opposition ranks – are stepping forth to step into the breach.
Many are also ‘untainted’, having had distinguished careers and eager to cross swords with their political foes, which by no flight of imagination happens to be the ruling PAP. Full story

Singapore's Main Political Parties Given Slot In TV Forum

2011-03-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 29 Mar 2011
SINGAPORE, March 29 (Bernama) -- For the first time since 1988, five of Singapore's main political parties have taken part in a pre-election television forum, organised by Channel NewsAsia, in the run up to the General Election due by February next year.
The hour-long programme, in English, which will be broadcast unedited, is titled "A political forum on Singapore's future".
It brings together representatives from the People's Action Party, the Singapore People's Party, the Workers' Party, the Singapore Democratic Alliance and the Singapore Democratic Party. Full story

Singapore housing issues may not figure largely in upcoming general election

2011-03-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Property-report.com, 28 Mar 2011
Singapore political analyst Derek da Cunha said that housing was “less of a significant issue than has often been made out to be,” noting that most Singaporeans have a roof over their heads. Dr. da Cunha said that housing issues might be more significant “if voters were in a negative equity situation … and interest rates had been rising for a number of years. But both are not the case.” Full story

Think Carefully Of Future During General Election, Lee Tells Singaporeans

2011-03-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 27 Mar 2011
SINGAPORE, March 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has advised Singaporeans to be calm and think carefully about the long-term future during the coming General Election.
"Whatever emotions that are aroused during that period, calm down, detach yourself, think carefully before you vote -- which is why, we have a Cooling-off Day before Polling Day. Full story

Related:
Vote wisely, Singapore PM urges countrymen - The Malaysian Insider

OPINION: Opposition renewal matters too — Eugene K.B. Tan

2011-03-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 26 Mar 2011
The PAP tends to have new candidates who are very well educated, professionally successful and younger. In short, the PAP slate is quite predictable given that its preference for technocrats persists.
In contrast, as the new opposition candidates hail from a variety of and unconventional backgrounds, they are more likely than not to have a “rough edge”. One can detect a certain bravado and boldness in them.
The public sees them as more “interesting”, as their perceived motivations for entering politics are somewhat different from the PAP’s rookies — although all PAP and opposition candidates alike will declare their aim of serving the people and contributing to society. Full story

OPINION: Battle of the elite looming - Seah Chiang Nee

2011-03-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 26 Mar 2011
FOR the first time in years, Singapore’s opposition is seeing a little light in a dark tunnel, at least in recruiting the highly-educated.
An impressive number of top scholars and professionals, including a dozen with Masters and Doctorates (PhD), will likely emerge to challenge the People’s Action Party in the elections expected in May.
It is something Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had long predicted would happen after his political retirement. Full story

OPINION: Media as politics in Singapore - Megawati Wijaya

2011-03-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Asia Times Online, 24 Mar 2011
SINGAPORE - Days before Singapore Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced the government's 2011 budget in parliament, the political opposition offered a glimpse of how it would allocate the national finances in a "shadow" budget. The state-controlled mainstream media gave the opposition announcement scant coverage, but it was picked up widely by a number of alternative news websites.
To be sure, opposition criticism of the ruling party's budget is nothing new. But rather than being forced to wait for parliament to meet to air their dissent, now opposition parties are able to post pre-emptively their criticisms online, shifting the time and space of Singapore's political debate. Each opposition party's posts of their competing budgets sparked robust discussions in a variety of online forums. Full story

Singapore Gearing Up For Election

2011-03-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Bernama.com, 21 Mar 2011
SINGAPORE, March 21 (Bernama) -- Singapore is once again gearing up for the election with both the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and the opposition readying themselves for the polls.
on Monday, the PAP introduced its first batch of new candidates for the polls, due in February next year.
"In total, the PAP intends to introduce more than 20 new candidates from diverse backgrounds," the party's Second Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean .... Full story

OPINION: Singapore's Speaker's Corner Shut Down for Polls

2011-03-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Asia Sentinel, 15 Mar 2011
The only place in the city-state where citizens can speak their minds in public without a permit or fear of arrest, Speakers' Corner, Singapore's version of London's Hyde Park, will be off limits during the campaign period for coming general elections without official permission.
It might seem odd to citizens of democracies, where election activities occasion more, not less, free speech, but Singapore takes few chances even though the results of polls are hardly an issue. The ruling People’s Action Party has won every general election since 1963 and secured 82 of 84 seats in parliament in the 2006 general election. Full story

Related:
Singapore Shuts Down Speaker's Corner for Elections - The Jakarta Globe

OPINION: For PAP new faces, a great chance for some bold talk — PN Balji

2011-03-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 15 Mar 2011
MARCH 15 — The next significant signpost on the road to the Singapore general election should appear any time now — the new faces of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) being introduced to the media and the electorate.
If past introductions are any indication, these new candidates are likely to share how challenged their lives once were, how they were given opportunities to make good and how they feel so indebted to the system that they now want to give back to society.
But as with many things in Singapore, voters are not going to be satisfied with just these pronouncements. In the Singapore of 2011 and beyond, they have become passe. Full story

General Election: good for Singapore if all 87 seats contested - DPM Wong

2011-03-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

TwoCircles.net, 14 Mar 2011
Singapore : Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Wong Kan Seng, has said he welcomes contest from opposition parties in the area.
Speaking to reporters at the Bishan-Toa Payoh Inter-Faith Carnival on Sunday, Mr Wong said Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC has not been contested since it was formed in 1997.
He said having a contest would give voters in the constituency a chance to determine which would be the better team to serve them. Full story

OPINION: Elections might come sooner than later - Eugene K B Tan

2011-03-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

The Malaysian Insider, 12 Mar 2011
MARCH 12 — Yesterday, Parliament rounded up the debate on the Committee of Supply estimates. Not surprisingly, the exchanges with backbenchers provided an opportunity for the People’s Action Party (PAP) Government to address hot-button issues such as housing and foreign workers. It also enabled the Government to showcase its plans for the country.
Will Parliament be dissolved in the days ahead or weeks later, now that it has passed the Supply Bill for the new financial year? There are no major proposed legislations pending before Parliament. Full story

Singapore's ruling party gears up for election campaign

2011-03-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

Monsters and Critics, 7 Mar 2011
Singapore - Singapore's ruling party is pulling out the stops ahead of general elections expected before June amid criticism from the opposition of tactical manoeuvring for votes.
Observers and opponents pointed to the opportune timing of the ballot, a recent generous budget and a redrawing of the electoral map as part of the government's efforts to win over the electorate. Full story

PAP enters the digital warfare

2011-03-04T23:37:00.001-08:00

Malaysia Star, 5 Mar 2011
WITH the mainstream media overwhelmingly pro-government, the younger oppositionists had long been actively using the web as a means of communication and information.
Critics have dominated more than three quarters of the Internet discussions.
It now appears that the PAP – or at least its supporters – is beginning to fight back. Full story

OPINION: Missing: Strategy for a smart polls fight — PN Balji

2011-02-28T02:46:00.000-08:00

The Malaysian Insider, 28 Feb 2011
First, the feel-good-factor detected during Opposition walkabouts might not translate into national votes.
Second, and more importantly, the resources needed to “cover every blade of grass” — as one PAP MP described it — might just not be available.
Instead, the Opposition should come together, combine their resources, avoid in-fighting, make sure there are no multiple contests in a constituency ... and fight a smart fight. Full story

VIDEO: Talking Point with Political Parties' Member on Coming GE 2011 - 27 Feb2011

2011-02-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

Youtube

Singapore General Elections: ruling PAP, opposition gear up for action

2011-02-25T06:08:00.000-08:00

TwoCircles.net, 25 Feb 2011
Singapore : Incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling People's Action Party and opposition candidates have moved into the next gear of preparations for the coming General Election due by February 2012.
Changes are in store for two of Singapore's largest Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), Pasir-Ris Punggol and Sembawang.
A new Single Member Constituency (SMC), Punggol East, will be carved out of Pasir-Ris Punggol, an area currently looked after by MP Michael Palmer. Full story

Singapore Releases Electoral Boundaries Review Committee Report

2011-02-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

Gov Monitor, 24 Feb 2011
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee committee has recommended that Singapore be carved out into 27 electoral divisions.
There will be 12 single member constituencies and 15 GRCs.
The Government has accepted the electoral boundary changes recommended by the report.
For the upcoming General Election, we will have 12 SMCs and 15 GRCs making a total of 27 constituencies and 87 MPs.
There are altogether 2,350,257 electors on the current registers of electors (based on prescribed cut-off date as on 1 January 2011).
The number of electors shown is the number based on the current certified register of electors for that constituency. Link

Related:
Singapore's election battle-map unveiled - Intellasia.net

VIDEO: SDP Chee Soon Juan urges Singaporeans to stand up for their rights

2011-02-15T04:53:00.000-08:00

Youtube

Singapore opposition in social media blitz

2011-02-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Radio Australia, 10 Feb 2011
Singapore's political landscape is abuzz with expectations that general elections will be called this year, and possibly as early as a few months from now.
Singapore has been ruled without interruption since independence by the People's Action Party.
And aside from those within the political arena and media, general elections in Singapore rarely arouse much interest from the person in the street.
Opposition parties, however, still hold onto the hope of building on what little presence they have in parliament. Link

Hear the program here

OPINION: Coming polls promise to be fun - Seah Chiang Nee

2011-01-28T19:37:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Star, 28 Jan 2011
In the chase for the young vote, the PAP has sent in Zorro and a hip-hop dancing team to counter Danny the Bear’s foray into its heartland town centre.
Few people, however, can match the audacity of Lim Swee Say, the Chinese-educated Minister without Portfolio, who attended a Nurses’ Day celebration dressed as Zorro, complete with mask. Full story

Singapore PM says not decided on general election date

2011-01-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

TMCnet.com, 24 Jan 2011
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had not decided on a date for the upcoming general election, as speculation of the election being imminent has been making headlines recently.
The electoral boundaries review committee, which is drawing up the electoral map for the coming election, has yet to submit its report to the prime minister .... Full story

General Election in second quarter?

2011-01-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

Sg.yfittopostblog.com, 21 Jan 2011
Foreign Minister George Yeo has further narrowed down the timing of the impending General Election (GE) to between April and June,......Said Mr Yeo, who was speaking at a dinner with the Singapore Club and the Singapore-Thailand Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, “Prime Minister Lee (Hsien Loong), of course, keeps his cards very close to his chest, but I tell my party members to be prepared anytime after the Budget, which means from the end of March onwards.” Full story

OPINION: Getting the timing right for elections - KARIM RASLAN

2011-01-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Star, 18 Jan 2011
FOR the first time since separation, Malaysia and Singapore may well be holding their respective general elections in the same year.
n Singapore, the ruling PAP has to manage the challenges wrought by a booming economy as inflationary pressures eat away at the HDB heartlanders’ well-deserved savings.
There’s also a burgeoning income gap as “foreign talents” (and visitors) enjoy the cosmopolitan pleasures of what is fast-becoming Asia’s leading elite lifestyle haven.
Do Singaporeans really want to be serving up foie gras to spoilt Chinese, Russian and Indian billionaires cavorting on Sentosa Island? Full story

Related:
Getting the timing right when calling an election - The China Post

OPINION: Prospects Good for Greater Political Pluralism in Singapore - Dr. K. Kesavapany

2011-01-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

The Jakarta Globe, 15 Jan 2011
Last year was not a year of dramatic change for Singapore. It was, instead, a year for fine-tuning existing public policies to meet the impending and fluid economic and political challenges of globalization.
One of the key decisions the government made in 2010 was to reduce the number of foreign workers admitted into the city-state. The ruling People’s Action Party has always believed that the expansion of the domestic economy is crucial to economic growth — a belief manifested through a variety of liberal immigrant and labor policies. Full story

OPINION: Newbies a rising force - Seah Chiang Nee

2011-01-15T06:42:00.001-08:00

Malaysia Star, 15 Jan 2011
The continuing flow of new migrants may soon leave its mark on local politics, becoming a force capable of changing governments and dictating policies in the not too distant future.
IN the next few months, Singapore will likely witness the largest number of new citizens voting for the first time in a general election.
This is only an early step of a long-term immigration policy to offer up to 20,000 citizenships to foreigners every year to avoid population decline. Full story

Elections looming, Singapore aims to curb news website (News Feature)

2011-01-15T06:40:00.001-08:00

Monsters and Critics, 14 Jan 2011
Singapore - With general elections likely to be called later this year, Singapore aims to curb a popular news website known for its critical stance on government policies.
But on Friday the editors of The Online Citizen (TOC) urged Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to reverse a decision to classify the blog as a political association, a move critics see as an attempt to draw boundaries for the website's activities. Full story

Singapore Outlines Registers Of Electors For All 23 Constituencies

2011-01-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

Gov Monitor, 13 Jan 2011
The revised Registers of Electors for all 23 Constituencies (14 Group Representation Constituencies and 9 Single Member Constituencies) have been completed and will be open for public inspection from 14 January 2011 to 27 January 2011 at the Elections Department, the Inspection Centres for the respective Constituencies and the nine Overseas Registration Centres. Full story

Singapore PM orders update of voter rolls

2011-01-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

TMCnet.com, 4 Jan 2011
SINGAPORE, Jan 03, 2011 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has ordered an update of the register of electors by Feb. 28, which some analysts said is sign that the general election is closer.
The revised register will have the names of all Singapore citizens qualified to vote as of Jan. 1, 2011, local media reported Tuesday. Full story

VIDEO: How E-Voting Machine Was Hacked To Commit Election Fraud

2010-12-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hacking Democracy

OPINION: Election fever raging - Maxwell Coopers

2010-11-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Free Malaysia Today, 7 Nov 2010
Constitutionally, there really is no hurry for it. Because as after all, the official decree mandates that Singapore’s ruling Peoples’ Action Party (PAP) has the mandate to rule the tiny island city-state right till February 2011.
Yet the feel and smell of election in the air is almost unmistakable. Full story

Singapore Appoints Electoral Panel Signaling Election Is Imminent

2010-10-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

Nasdaq
SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- Singapore has appointed a committee to suggest changes to electoral boundaries, signaling that general elections are likely around the corner,...Full story

OPINION: Election buzz is in the air - Seah Chiang Nee

2010-10-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Star, 23 Oct 2010
WITH election buzz rising, Singapore’s talking point these days centres around two questions: What will the future be like without Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew?
Will the young generation, whose voting strength is increasing, continue to support the People’s Action Party (PAP) under its present strategies without the founding leader?
An indication may come in the next few months from a benchmark general election possibly without the participation of the 87-year-old Lee for the first time in 51 years Full story

OPINION: Singapore’s local media to go to the polls next elections - James Gomez

2010-10-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider, 6 Oct 2010
It is expected that the local mainstream media will get a further beating to its reputation at the next elections. The mainstream broadcast and print media goes into the next election with lower viewership and circulation. When the Internet shows up the biasness of the local media against the opposition parties in the next elections, local media credibility will go down further and drive more people to the Internet and away from the ruling PAP. Full story

Elections Dept in Singapore appoints logistics contractors to conduct site recce

2010-09-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

LogisticWeek, 3 Sep 2010
Singapore’s next General Election is not due till February 2012. But the country’s Elections Department has appointed its logistics contractors, ST Synthesis and SingTel, to carry out some site visits. This is according to a note sent out by the Education Ministry’s School Administration Services to schools. The note says the Elections Department’s contractors will visit various Returning Officers’ centres and polling stations from 1 September. Full story

India's Electronic Voting Machines Can Be Manipulated, Claim Experts

2009-08-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Thaindian News, 2 Aug 2009
Bhubaneswar, Aug 2 (IANS) An electronic experts group Saturday challenged the poll panel’s claim that the electronic voting machines (EVM) are tamper proof, and said the voting devices can be tampered with in many ways.
Claiming that there are loopholes in the EVMs, the expert team here demonstrated how the machines can be tampered through a prototype EVM they have developed.
“EVMs have many loopholes. We are challenging those who claim that EVMs are infallible. There are many security leakages in these machines which can give us a manipulated result,” said Hari K. Prasad, a Hyderabad based electronics expert and head of Net India Pvt Ltd. Full story

OPINION: Singaporeans can kiss elections goodbye

2009-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Singapore Democrat, 13 Apr 2009
The SDP has been hoping that it will not come to pass. But it has. Singapore is set to purchase electronic voting machines from India. (See here). We might as well kiss elections goodbye. This is no melodrama and it is certainly no exaggeration. Here's why:
Years ago, the PAP Government was already toying with the idea of using Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines. In a nutshell, these are machines that require voters to cast their ballots through touch-screen or push-button technology. The vote is then electronically recorded and tallied.
We don't have to spell it out for you how such a process is open to electronic tampering and rigging Full story

Singapore show interest in Indian electronic voting machine

2009-04-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Hindu, 12 Apr 2009
New Delhi (PTI): Indian electronic voting machines (EVMs), are all set to go places with six countries, including Mauritius, Singapore and Sri Lanka, approaching Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL), one of the manufacturers, with a demand for them to be used for elections in those countries.
After Nepal and Bhutan, six more countries have shown their interest in procuring EVMs for use during elections, Naveen Namboodiri, Deputy Manager (Corporate Communications) of BEL, told PTI, adding, officials of Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, Namibia, South Africa and Sri Lanka have approached the PSU, for the purpose. Full story