I agree with MP Alvin Yeo’s concern about how the eligibility of candidates are determined. He wants clarity or confusion will result.As a trained Senior Council,his comments merit close attention. He questions the interpretation of 3 individuals’ decision without review by other bodies as inadequate for such an important post. He also question how the election should be run. You can read it in the ST Oct 18 Tuesday page B4.
Let me make an observation shared with me by Singaporeans on the PE on polling day. One area in the election that needs to be improved is the manner of presentation of the outcome of voting from each counting station to Singaporeans by Election Office. Many citizens were glued to their television sets waiting for results from the counting stations to be shown so they can tally the results. But this was not done. Why? they asked? At the end of the exercise only one set of figure was released:the votes each candidate won,the percentage,the spoilt votes. To many,in this day of good instant communication,why is it so? How is this possible?. Why the reluctance to use TV to let Singaporeans know each counting station voting result like the GE results where every constituency result is shown. This has begged many questions. Why no transparency? The need for transparency was again called for in the latest parliament sitting by MPs.
Let me quote from ST Political Correspondent Li Xueying on Oct 20 Parliament sitting,when commenting on pricing formula on housing to be more transparent,and very apt for this matter too. I quote “ Going ahead,the need to be more open and transparent with information will continue to be an imperative that the government has to struggle with,given a more questioning electorate.
Voters no longer want to be told just the answer –the what. They also want to understand the hows and the whys.
Without information,there is unfortunately room for conspiracy theories and wild rumours to germinate” unquote. So very true.
Dear Sir,
I agree that TV should have been used to let Singaporeans know each counting station voting result. Like many Singaporean I was also glued to the TV clearing for a certain Dr Tan
.
I guess there is a rationale behind why only 1 set of result for PE was because the PE was contested based on the entire Singapore,hence by that logic,only 1 result is sufficient. This is similar to the General Election,for each constituency,there was only 1 result including the GRCs. I lived in Alijunied GRC and would certainly loved to see the results for each of the constituency.
I am not saying I agree with the way it was broadcast but this perhaps be an counter agreement that would be given. Perhaps this can be brought out as a feedback to included in future elections.
Happy Holidays.