We want fair election
-
Just to see what you guys think, what is your 'ideal' Singapore?
-
Strait Time Forum
March 11, 2006
Have just one deposit, be it SMC or GRC
WHILE attempts are now being made to have more constituencies contested in the coming general election, including the redrawing of boundaries for single wards and even unsolicited electioneering tips from the ruling PAP to the opposition, I believe it will still be a limited-contest GE.
The crux of the problem lies in the high deposits required of candidates. Given the limited number of single-member constituencies (SMCs), prospective opposing candidates often find it hard to raise the deposit for group representation constituencies (GRCs), besides the difficulty in drawing worthy candidates.
As the GE is vital for Singapore's future as it is for all eligible citizens to partake, the Government should consider making it easier for candidates by having only one basic deposit, regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC. This means that even in multiple-candidate wards, only one flat rate is payable, thereby making it easier for more wards to be contested.
Meanwhile, the PAP leadership should pay heed to the growing disquiet, especially among older Singaporeans, on the notion that only young Singaporeans can and deserve to lead the country.
While rejuvenating the Government with new blood is necessary, the key is to have a good balance of young and old because too much virility will not only weaken the soul of the people but it may also metaphorically lead to social disease as a great divide between young and older Singaporeans takes root.
Paul Wee Kian Nghee -
Yes,I may but others can initiate it too.Originally posted by lotus999:why don't you initiate it since you're the one calling for fair election? -
A fair electoral system is a very basic requirement.Some more, the opposition is still weak and yet the govt wouldn't provide it.
-
During the last GE,local newspapers commented a DPP conditate wearing slippers to submit his election forms.Do the papers dare to give negative report on PAP candidates?I haven't read any.
-
Do PAP candidates wear slippers to submit their election papers? Was the DPP candidate at fault for not having the basic courtesy and respect to be dressed appropriately?Originally posted by PRP:During the last GE,local newspapers commented a DPP conditate wearing slippers to submit his election forms.Do the papers dare to give negative report on PAP candidates?I haven't read any.
Let's examine both sides of the coin. -
The local newspapers is controlled by the govt (PAP man is the chairman of SPH).That's the problem.Can u expect them to be fair always?
I don't see anything wrong to wear slipper to submit election form.He felt it is comfortable.Do u want ppl to wear coat for that occasion? -
PAP says it welcome oposition to contest.Has the govt taken any steps to encourage the opp. to take part?Very little.
-
Poor ppl can't stand for election.Originally posted by LinYu:Strait Time Forum
March 11, 2006
Have just one deposit, be it SMC or GRC
WHILE attempts are now being made to have more constituencies contested in the coming general election, including the redrawing of boundaries for single wards and even unsolicited electioneering tips from the ruling PAP to the opposition, I believe it will still be a limited-contest GE.
The crux of the problem lies in the high deposits required of candidates. Given the limited number of single-member constituencies (SMCs), prospective opposing candidates often find it hard to raise the deposit for group representation constituencies (GRCs), besides the difficulty in drawing worthy candidates.
As the GE is vital for Singapore's future as it is for all eligible citizens to partake, the Government should consider making it easier for candidates by having only one basic deposit, regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC. This means that even in multiple-candidate wards, only one flat rate is payable, thereby making it easier for more wards to be contested.
Meanwhile, the PAP leadership should pay heed to the growing disquiet, especially among older Singaporeans, on the notion that only young Singaporeans can and deserve to lead the country.
While rejuvenating the Government with new blood is necessary, the key is to have a good balance of young and old because too much virility will not only weaken the soul of the people but it may also metaphorically lead to social disease as a great divide between young and older Singaporeans takes root.
Paul Wee Kian Nghee -
Voting is secret?
When u votes,the worker writes down your registry serial No. on the back of your ballot paper.They say voting is secret.Why should that be done??? -
Originally posted by PRP:Voting is secret?
When u votes,the worker writes down your registry serial No. on the back of your ballot paper.They say voting is secret.Why should that be done???
Sorry to comment on your view. Voting is really secret. That is only true and whole true. Believe me. Don't scare other people. -
I think even 3 years old would have grown to learn between the talkings and bullsh|ts....?Originally posted by PRP:PAP says it welcome oposition to contest.Has the govt taken any steps to encourage the opp. to take part?Very little.
-
even war torn Iraq can produce 7000 candidates for their elections. in a open democracy, how is it that we have some many barriers and obstacles in running for parliment?
-
Originally posted by king108:
It is true that they write serial No. of a voter at the back of his ballot paper.Why???? [b]Sorry to comment on your view. Voting is really secret. That is only true and whole true. Believe me. Don't scare other people.
[/b]
Don't worry,maybe many ppl are not scare but of course some are. -
No one will check the serial number for who voted which candidates. The purpose of the serial number is to telly with the number in the voter record only. The serial number is only for adminstrative purposes. No one will and authorised to open the book and check the detail of the vote to look for your signature on it once polling day over. No policemen will ever visit you for voting someone you love unless it's a crime.Originally posted by PRP:It is true that they write serial No. of a voter at the back of his ballot paper.Why????
Don't worry,maybe many ppl are not scare but of course some are.
Sorry, the answer is wrong, a lot of 1st timers, old man/women and well educated scared. Don't believe those that talk loud.(some actually trying to misled and give you a wrong signal) . they usually do the other way and I had seen it and only to shake my head and laugh it off to our fellow singaporean.
Don't ask why I know, cause I know.
Only thing as mention do it if you deemed right for you or right for fellow singaporean.
That the only difference.
Right for you only meant for you and your estate.
Right for singaporean is to improve the singaporean life which may included your. -
When they say voting is secret,they do something which can identify who a ballot paper belong.So it is SECRET?Strange,isn't it?Can't they do it in other way but still ensure there won't be fraud?
-
Suggest ministers don't be constituency MPs
I think govt ministers who hold heavy responsibilities & serve the whole country shouldn't be burdened with constituency work.They should hold meet-the-people session in their ministry HQ.
I suggest MPs who are appointed as govt office holders give up their seat & have by-elelctions.If so, it would create more jobs. -
There is a procedure for all these issues, the book I think is called registar if I am right. Don't keep dicking yourself in that corner, take my words.Originally posted by PRP:When they say voting is secret,they do something which can identify who a ballot paper belong.So it is SECRET?Strange,isn't it?Can't they do it in other way but still ensure there won't be fraud?
I know what you are thinking.
Frankly speaking I hated to answer your queries on this and reveal further.
Just take it as "voting is secret" will do...
-
Seah Chiang Nee of littlespeck.com puts in much effort to find out how fair the mainstream media coverage on the elections is:
Overwhelming coverage
As election tempo rises, question arises: 'How fair is it?' By Seah Chiang Nee
Mar 20, 2006
TV and newspaper coverage increased substantially today because the political parties - People's Action Party (PAP) and the opposition - launched a major weekend walkabout in the 'hot' constituencies.
That it weighed heavily, in volume and words, in favour of the ruling PAP goes without saying. It is a repetition of previous elections.
Not many people had expected this time to see a 50-50% balance since the PAP is regarded as the government and incumbent, which holds 82 of the 84 contested Parliament seats.
The government sees it as a traditional right as an incumbent that controls the legislative numbers.
But many of the new generation feel the media should be fair and balanced to the opposition, since 30-40 per cent of Singaporeans have regularly voted for it.
But then, what sort of ratio should the media editors observe if not 50-50?
I did a rough comparative calculation of two English-language newspapers and Channel News Asia on the political coverage on Monday, Mar 20, 2006 to the two contenders.
Straits Times (8 items, totaling 3623 words)
PAP = six, 2,977 words (or 82 percent).
Opposition = two, 646 words (18 percent)
Channel News Asia (7 items, totaling 2,752 words)
PAP = four, 1,712 words (62.2 percent)
Opposition = two, 766 words (27.8percent)
Neutral = one, 274 words (10 percent)
TODAY (nine items items, 3,268 words)
PAP = five, 2,164 words (66.2 percent)
Opposition = four, 1,104 words (33.8 percent)
=
Details of Straits Times coverage
PAP items (Headlines)
(1) SM's task: Win back opposition wards
He plans to give voters what they want, as PAP aims for a solid win at the polls = (743 words)
(2) High-stakes battle shaping up in two opposition wards
SM will coach and advise PAP men there to help win back Hougang, Potong Pasir wards = (645 words)
(3) PAP team raring for a contest in Jalan Besar GRC. MPs confident of high level of support based on their work over past four years. = (396 words)
(4) Hwee Hua to stand where she can pull in most votes = (294 words)
(5) Spotted: Two new faces in Ang Mo Kio. (358 words)
(6) Holland-Bukit Timah likely to get woman PAP candidate. Residents have expressed a wish for a female MP in the all-male MP GRC (541 words)
Opposition items (headlines)
(1) WP wants to offer voters a chance to vote in AMK. (190 words)
(2) Steve Chia raises stakes for himself - quit politics if he doesn't win this general election. (456 words)
Details of CNA coverage (headlines)
PAP items
(1) SM Goh to help PAP candidates win back Hougang, Potong Pasir seats. (443 words)
(2) PM Lee says PAP aiming to win all wards in upcoming General Election (468 words)
(3) More estate upgradings soon for residents of Holland-Bukit Panjang, Punggol 21 (450 words)
(4) PAP advisers welcome SM Goh's help in Hougang, Potong Pasir (351 words)
Opposition items
(1) Chiam See Tong dismisses PAP's plan to recapture opposition wards (280 words)
(2) NSP Steve Chia to launch book to raise funds for election campaign. (486 words)
Neutral items
(1) No confirmation whether Workers' Party contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC (274 words)
Details of TODAY coverage (headlines)
PAP items
(1) No urgency to go to polls: PM. New PAP faces from this week, election manifesto later. (425 words)
(2) SM Goh's hoofbeats on opposition turf. PM asks him to help win back Hougang, Potong Pasir (853 words)
(3) A woman for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. (210 words)
(4) MP Lim Hwee Hua to move to Aljunied GRC? (463 words)
(5) 1b renewal for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC (213 words)
Opposition items
(1) WP checks out Ang Mo Kio (214 words).
(2) 'Old face' is not worried. Chiam on SM's involvement and Sitoh's banquets. (397 words)
(3) SDA says it has even more potential candidates than are required for Jalan Besar GRC. (238 words)
(4) Steve Chia's secret weapon - a 200-page book (255 words) -
Originally posted by PRP:
Under my proposal, ministers can still hold meet-the-ppl sessision at various constituencies for the convenience of residents and also to control the number of ppl who want to see them.
[b]Suggest ministers don't be constituency MPs
I think govt ministers who hold heavy responsibilities & serve the whole country shouldn't be burdened with constituency work.They should hold meet-the-people session in their ministry HQ.
I suggest MPs who are appointed as govt office holders give up their seat & have by-elelctions.If so, it would create more jobs.[/b]
The govt tries to create jobs.But what they create are mostly lowly paid jobs.Here I suggest highly paid jobs?Govt,what do u think? -
My View
The best chances for the opposition is to unify their parties and give it one shot for the elections. If according what one of you had said, there 30
% to 40% voting for oppositions, then you could expect more MPs of the oppositions to be in parliments.
-
Originally posted by PRP:Under my proposal, ministers can still hold meet-the-ppl sessision at various constituencies for the convenience of residents and also to control the number of ppl who want to see them.
The govt tries to create jobs.But what they create are mostly lowly paid jobs.Here I suggest highly paid jobs?Govt,what do u think?
I do agree with you on this creation of quality paid jobs, then quality lifes for all singapore singaporeans. (Must complete NS for male unless handicapper) As I had mentioned employment at a quality paid and condition must be given to priority to singapore singaporeans. It is only that any singapore singaporean cannot be found for the job, then a foreign talent can be recruited for this purposes. -
No offence to anyone. I just refer to the heading " We want fair election"
Generally speaking, I would say that singapore had a fair, opened election system. (I meant the system only not siding ruling or the non-ruling parties) I read some written here, and actually realised that had been talking about the amount of coverage of ruling and non-ruling parties activities. I don't disagree with good points for both sides point of views (ruling / non-ruling). To improve on the coverage of the non-ruling parties, they might wanted to take the initiative to talk to local reporter and photographer for more coverage if resource is there. They may also invite the reporters to be a part of their campaign to improve on their good publicities. I think reporters will be glad to be invited too.
It will be the interests and the operating guideline of the local press to decide what they wanted to do with it for commercial or social values. However, the non-ruling parties may keep a proper records of their activities, campaign and even ideas proposed in case they are interested to follow up with the local press later. I had seen election in UK which had an more opened climates, with difference papers (Daily Mirror, Sun, Times, The Thremes, and so on..etc) giving coverage for various parties for the interest of difference readers. Occasionally can be confusing with many versions of report (regardless of size), if one is no really aware of what's really going on. To one, two pages is little. To others, two pages may be too much. It can be very subjectives and difficult to make everyone happy about it.
Cheers. -
When CSJ asked GCT: "Where is our money?"Since then,newspapers published all ugly photo of CSJ.Whose order made it so?Like that,how could he win elections?
-
why should you be so at odds to reveal further information? u mean election procedures is considered an Official Secret? funny ... never read such a thing in the Statutes... must be a new Amendment or sth...Originally posted by king108:There is a procedure for all these issues, the book I think is called registar if I am right. Don't keep dicking yourself in that corner, take my words.
I know what you are thinking.
Frankly speaking I hated to answer your queries on this and reveal further.
Just take it as "voting is secret" will do... 
the (suspicious) pikamaster