Revised Parliamentry Act
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Our parliament has finally ammended the Parliamentry Act to legalise overseas voting - something that should have been done A LONG TIME AGO. Talk about efficient government? LOL..
Although the election department is quick to point out that:(a) you must have resided in Singapore for an aggregate of two years during the period of five years of being away as of the cut-off date of the Registers of Electors; OR
They did not publicise the criteria for inelligbility states that:
(b) you are -
(i) on full-time training or full-time service abroad as a member of the Singapore Armed Forces, or as a public officer or an employee of a Singapore public authority;
(ii) on full-time training which is sponsored by the Singapore Government or any Singapore public authority;
(iii) employed outside Singapore by an international organisation of which Singapore is a member, or any other organisation designated by the President under the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore; or
(iv) the spouse, or a parent, child or dependent of a person referred to in sub-paragraphs (i) to (iii) above.
Reference: http://www.elections.gov.sg/overseasreg_faqs.htm(f) your name has not been entered on a register of electors in any other country of territory
Although the revised Parliamentry Act has been highly publicised as the government's intention to attract Singaporeans abroad to come back, there is a problematic clause in the revised Parliamentry Act. The clause excludes Singaporeans residing in a foreign country that impose foreign residents to register as a voter.
Reference: http://www.elections.gov.sg/forms/ovrform.pdf
One such country is the United Kingdom. Singaporeans (student or non-student) do not have a choice to exclude our names on the British Register.
Commonwealth (former British Colonies) residents in the UK are entitled to vote for British election, and thus our (Singaporeans in UK) names will be entered in the British Register by default. Registration as a Voter for British Election is compulsory in the UK.
The consequence of the conflict between the Singapore Parliamentry Act and British Electoral System is that Singaporeans residing in the UK will loose our voting rights as a citizen of Singapore, irregardless if we had resided in Singapore for an aggregate of two years during the period of five years of being away as of the cut-off date OR on public-funded training program outside Singapore OR being a spouse of such a person.
Firstly, having our names in the British Register does not necessary mean that a Singaporean whose name has been entered on a register of elector in a foreign country has lost his allegience to Singapore.
Secondly, it happened not by our choice. It was imposed on us. We did not choose to have our name in the British Register, so why should we (Singaporeans in UK) loose our voting rights?
There is no sense in the revised Parliamentry Act!!! -
On a second note, even if Singaporeans abroad chooses to have his name in voting register of a foreign country, why should he still loose his voting rights?
Wikipedia defines Citizenship as "the membership in a political community (originally a city but now usually a state) and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such membership is a citizen." It is largely coterminous with nationality, although it is possible to have a nationality without being a citizen (i.e., be legally subject to a state and entitled to its protection without having rights of political participation in it); it is also possible to have political rights without being a national of a state; for example, a citizen of a Commonwealth country resident in the United Kingdom is entitled to full political rights.
The Singaporean abroad did not choose to let go of his citizenship and therefore still elligible to vote. The Parliamentry Act makes a point in which an individual must be qualified in order to be a citizen. This, in principle, is absurd because modern democracy preaches for universal suffrage. Any citizen, in prison, abroad or not, is entitled to vote regardless. To even make up a list of criteria to qualify a person to vote in Singapore is step backward - an indication of our political backwardness.
Why should not a Singaporean abroad be part of the voting register of a foreign country? Let use UK as an example. John is a Singaporean who has been working in the UK for past 1yr. In the coming election, the Tories intend to reduce council tax and increase state funding for universities, while the labour party intends to increase the council tax and reduces the national insurance tax. This issues will affect every working person in the United Kingdom irregardless of his nationality. Tell me why John should not vote..
Anybody who has long term resisdence in a particular democratic country should be entitled to vote for the democractic elections of that particular country. Anybody who is a citizen of that country is also entitled to vote. -
It seems that our newspaper practises selective reporting
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does anybody here not support of Singaporean abroad to maintain our voting rights for Singapore elections?
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You?Originally posted by geodome:does anybody here not support of Singaporean abroad to maintain our voting rights for Singapore elections?
As long as they are still Singaporeans, I don't see why they can't vote. Good change. -
However, if the names of Singaporeans abroad are in the voting register of a foreign country, then these Singaporeans are not elligible to vote for Singapore election.
The point is Singaporeans should be entitled to vote, irregardless. -
Originally posted by geodome:
If they are able to vote in other countries, it means that they are citizens of that country. Allowing these Singaporeans to vote will be violating our own laws.
[b]However, if the names of Singaporeans abroad are in the voting register of a foreign country, then these Singaporeans are not elligible to vote for Singapore election.
The point is Singaporeans should be entitled to vote, regardless.[/b]
It's dual citizenship, which is illegal in Singapore. -
The point of this thread is to argue against/for the principle of the parliamentry act. Singaporeans should be entitled to vote for Singapore electons, irregardless of their voting status in a foreign country. If the politics of a foreign country affect the working status of the Singaporean abroad, why should he not be entitled to vote for that election?
Often, the word citzenship and nationality are used interchangeably. Citzenship comes with nationality, but nationality does not necessary come with citizenship. It is illegal of Singaporeans to have dual nationality, not dual citizenship, beyond the age of 21 -
Originally posted by geodome:
Confused liao.
The point of this thread is to argue against/for the principle of the parliamentry act. Singaporeans should be entitled to vote for Singapore electons, irregardless of their voting status in a foreign country. If the politics of a foreign country affect the working status of the Singaporean abroad, why should he not be entitled to vote for that election?
Often, the word citzenship and nationality are used interchangeably. Citzenship comes with nationality, but nationality does not necessary come with citizenship. It is illegal of Singaporeans to have [b]dual nationality, not dual citizenship, beyond the age of 21[/b] -
Originally posted by geodome:
This is not a profitable business or something can benefit much from it for the govt. So don't expect them to act too soon.
Our parliament has finally ammended the Parliamentry Act to legalise overseas voting - something that should have been done A LONG TIME AGO. Talk about efficient government? LOL..
Although the election department is quick to point out that:
Although the revised Parliamentry Act has been highly publicised as the government's intention to attract Singaporeans abroad to come back, there is a problematic clause in the revised Parliamentry Act. The clause excludes Singaporeans residing in a foreign country that impose foreign residents to register as a voter.
One such country is the United Kingdom. Singaporeans (student or non-student) [b] do not have a choice to exclude our names on the British Register.
Commonwealth (former British Colonies) residents in the UK are entitled to vote for British election, and thus our (Singaporeans in UK) names will be entered in the British Register by default. Registration as a Voter for British Election is compulsory in the UK.
The consequence of the conflict between the Singapore Parliamentry Act and British Electoral System is that Singaporeans residing in the UK will loose our voting rights as a citizen of Singapore, irregardless if we had resided in Singapore for an aggregate of two years during the period of five years of being away as of the cut-off date OR on public-funded training program outside Singapore OR being a spouse of such a person.
Firstly, having our names in the British Register does not necessary mean that a Singaporean whose name has been entered on a register of elector in a foreign country has lost his allegience to Singapore.
Secondly, it happened not by our choice. It was imposed on us. We did not choose to have our name in the British Register, so why should we (Singaporeans in UK) loose our voting rights?
There is no sense in the revised Parliamentry Act!!![/b] -
Originally posted by geodome:
Oops.. I meant that citizenship and nationality does not always come together.
Often, the word citzenship and nationality are used interchangeably. Citzenship comes with nationality, but nationality does not necessary come with citizenship. It is illegal of Singaporeans to have dual nationality, not dual citizenship, beyond the age of 21[/b]
Being able to vote for British election does not make a British National.
Get it? -
Get it.Originally posted by geodome:Oops.. I meant that citizenship and nationality does not always come together.
Being able to vote for British election does not make a British National.
Get it? -
sigh.. not much responses.
Are Singaporeans in Singapore not interested in the interest of Singaporeans abroad? If Singaporeans abroad can still demonstrate interest for Singaporeans in Singapore, why not the other way around? Some even call Singaporeans abroad quitters. This is pathetic.
Do Singaporeans in Singapore do not welcome Singaporeans abroad in general?
The Mervyn Tan's incident does speak in great volume. -
the revised parliamentry act won't be published in full until 15 febuary 2006 - 1 WEEK AFTER THE DEADLINE FOR OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION.
how convenient..
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If our government is such that they must always do something to profit themselves (politically or financially), does it not make you reconsider your voting choice?Originally posted by Lowclassman:This is not a profitable business or something can benefit much from it for the govt. So don't expect them to act too soon. -
Wrong. All commonwealth citizens, including Singapireans resident in the UK is eligible to vote in the UK elections. So I do not necc have to be a citizen to vote.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:If they are able to vote in other countries, it means that they are citizens of that country. Allowing these Singaporeans to vote will be violating our own laws.
It's dual citizenship, which is illegal in Singapore. -
it's because our legal intepretation belongs to the playschool, and we are stuck in this mentality and refuse to accept that being able to vote does not equate to citizenship.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:If they are able to vote in other countries, it means that they are citizens of that country. Allowing these Singaporeans to vote will be violating our own laws.
It's dual citizenship, which is illegal in Singapore.
Who are we to penalise our own countrymen who are subject to the rules of other nations while abroad.
Selective news reporting?I'm not bleddy surprised.Selective voting?Sama sama.
It's a shameful farce. -
My choice is pretty clear.Originally posted by geodome:If our government is such that they must always do something to profit themselves (politically or financially), does it not make you reconsider your voting choice?
For such legal games to be played, it shows that they are bereft of the notion of fair play and thus unable to get the job of creating a democratic heritage in politics. -
I got this from the Singapore Online Statute (http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/)
Singapore Online Statute is an online database of Singapore laws, run by the Attorney General's Chamber. It is available for free (fortunately).
let me quote the old parliamentry elections act (chapter 218 ). i think this part of the revised law remains unchanged, because the overseas voter registration form also includes this list of criteria. The revised law won't be published till 15 feb 06
Disqualification of electors
I find the clauses in blue acceptable, and those in red unacceptable.
6. —(1) No person shall be entitled to have his name entered or retained in any register of electors if he —
(a) has taken any oath or made any declaration or acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to any foreign power or state or does, concurs in or adopts any act done with the intention that he shall become a subject or citizen of any foreign power or state or is the holder of a passport issued by any foreign power or state;
(b) is serving a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) imposed by any court in or outside Singapore for an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding 12 months, or is under sentence of death imposed by any such court or is serving a sentence of imprisonment awarded in lieu of execution of any such sentence;
(c) is under any written law found or declared to be of unsound mind;
(d) is incapable of being registered by reason of his conviction of a corrupt or illegal practice under this Act or the Presidential Elections Act (Cap. 240A) or by reason of the report of an Election Judge in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the Presidential Elections Act or by reason of his conviction under section 55 of this Act or section 37 of the Presidential Elections Act;
(e) is a serving member on full pay of any naval, military or air force not maintained out of moneys provided by Parliament unless he possesses a domicile in Singapore;
(f) is a person whose name is entered on a register of electors in any other country or territory;
(g) is a person whose name has been expunged from the register under sections 13 (3) and 43 (5) and whose name has not been restored to the register under section 43 ( 8 ) or (8A), as the case may be; or
(h) is a person whose name has been expunged from the register of electors under section 26 (5) of the Presidential Elections Act (Cap 240A) and whose name has not been restored to the register under section 26 ( 8 ) of that Act.
[27/91;18/94;19/2001] -
Clause F is highly illegal and discriminatory in my eyes.Not to mention, flawed.Won't that make all of us ineligible voters since we are potential voters in the United Kingdom based on Commonwealth nationality the minute we step on their shores?
What if the UK promulgates overseas voting and in carelessness, allows Commonwealth citizens to exercise their suffrage?
Good questions there..
But then again, all the rest of Singapore only care for fecking bread and butter issues.
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They do. During the British Election last year, there was ads everywhere saying if you don't register, you are liable for a fine. I think it was 100pounds. -ouch-Originally posted by LazerLordz:What if the UK promulgates overseas voting and in carelessness, allows Commonwealth citizens to exercise their suffrage? -
Regarding the registration for overseas voting, who do we use as a witness?
Anyone downloaded the PDF forms yet? -
I think any tom, dick and harry, as long the person is legally an adult.
After-all, they never specify you need to supply an NRIC for the witness. it wouldn't make sense to do so, if you are a Singaporean abroad.
iveco, where are you anyway? UK or the United States? -
Neither.Originally posted by geodome:iveco, where are you anyway? UK or the United States?
I am down under.