By Election Effect
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Today Forum 8 March 2006
It's about calibre and fairness
What matters is the quality of Opposition candidates; it's not a numbers game Minor change to redrawn electoral map ensures democratic, fair voting
Letter from JEFFREY LAW LEE BENG
Letter from Danny Chua
THE People's Action Party (PAP) has been in government since 1959. Given its sound track record, there is no doubt it will be returned to power in the upcoming General Election (GE).
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Many people welcome the Opposition's desire to provide an alternative voice by contesting the election as this serves as a check if the Government does not perform up to the people's expectations.
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To this end, it is imperative for the Opposition to work very hard and field a team of selfless and credible candidates who can be reckoned with.
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They must not be unduly worried whether they can or cannot field 84 or 42 candidates. What really matters is quality and not quantity, and this is what the Opposition should focus on.
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In the past, we have seen unqualified and dubious people offering themselves as candidates and whose actions and behaviour reflected poorly on the Opposition as a whole.
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If the Singapore Democratic Alliance wants to put up a good fight in the upcoming election, it will do well to ensure that every one of its candidate is worthy and competent.
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A weak and unreliable member will affect the whole team, especially when it comes to contesting a Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
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I REFER to your article, "Battle-lines redrawn Â… but only just" (March 4-5).
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It is a good sign that some 42 per cent of voters will stay in the same voting constituencies as they were in 2001, compared to only 9 per cent in the previous General Election.
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It is a sign of political maturity and a sense of fair play.
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With the Housing Development Board ethnic quota policy in place, we should see a fair representation of the ethnic population for a fair and democratic process of voting.
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Last week, the Texas Supreme Court heard a case filed by the Democrats against the ruling Republicans for gerrymandering in its 2003 redistricting plan of several poor areas which resulted in the loss of five Democratic Congressional seats.
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The Democrats claimed that such redrawing of congressional map created an unfair advantage for the other political party in power and affected the democratic process of what the voting majority really wants.
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So with less changes here in Singapore in this GE, we should see a fair and democratic voting. -
since when was voting and elections fair?
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When you were not around in the 60sOriginally posted by stellazio:since when was voting and elections fair? 
However I agreed with your excellent point: it was history for fairness since lightning decided to do gerrymandering..
I means its not so sportive when the rules had been changed to benefit the ruling party in office..
like in Yio Chu Kang being chew out in this election 2006
to improve the PM GRCs results when election become history again! -
No use
They have decided to contest 57 out of 84 seats -
Young people should learn to fight ..in spite of greater odds, where's your indomitable spirit..?Originally posted by sbst275:No use
They have decided to contest 57 out of 84 seats
57 out out 84 is still good enough for a winning minority if the PAP lightning became silent...after when the results are all in..
Next election I may not be around, but don't give up.. it's our Country and freedom at stake! -
Like Potong Pasir, PAP has a good chance of winningOriginally posted by norey:Young people should learn to fight ..in spite of greater odds, where's your indomitable spirit..?
57 out out 84 is still good enough for a winning minority if the PAP lightning became silent...after when the results are all in..
Next election I may not be around, but don't give up.. it's your Country and freedom at stake!
In other places, ppl maybe unhappy as how they dun let the opposition to be in parliment... If one can teach the opp how to win, how come 2 PAP canidate can still lose to opp?
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U r right to point out the winning track of PAP in their lightning attacks upon opposition..however the issue raise by OP seem to be that the opposition and the ruling party were playing a fair football game..Originally posted by sbst275:Like Potong Pasir, PAP has a good chance of winning
In other places, ppl maybe unhappy as how they dun let the opposition to be in parliment... If one can teach the opp how to win, how come 2 PAP canidate can still lose to opp?
No, it is not fair..still they win, the point is people are fooled most of the times to let them win and let them go on winning ? Please tell us why?
Are there no more brains in Singapore to think right? and made right choices?
They lose to opp.. 'cause they are too boastful, and the people are brave to make right choices to support the opp...
Has anyone seen this political white lie before:
http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Political_white_lie hehehhehehe! -
Originally posted by norey:
For Potong Pasir, the case is, the folks there wants the lift, they can no longer wait, so PAP stands a chance
U r right to point out the winning track of PAP in their lightning attacks upon opposition..however the issue riaise by OP seem to be that the opposition and the ruling party were play a fair football game..
No, it is not fair..still they win, the point is [b]people are fooled most of the times to let them win and let them go on winning ? Please tell us why?
Are there no more brains in Singapore to think right? and made right choices?
They lose to opp.. 'cause they are too boastful, and the people are brave to make right choices to support the opp...[/b]
But at times, opp not elected may not be a bad thing either, cos they will still be around during elections using bargaining chips to reduce ruling's party % of votes
But the 57 seats, SDP wants to contest 13 seats, these 13 seats may easily ends into PAP hands -
Right..Andy so others like WHO??Mah..etc.. it's never the lift or whatever goodies to tempt them, they are a BRAVE people 'cause they still are getting the end of the stick from PAP..when they voted.Originally posted by sbst275:For Potong Pasir, the case is, the folks there wants the lift, they can no longer wait, so PAP stands a chance
But at times, opp not elected may not be a bad thing either, cos they will still be around during elections using bargaining chips to reduce ruling's party % of votes
But the 57 seats, SDP wants to contest 13 seats, these 13 seats may easily ends into PAP hands
Of course the slim % reduced does not necessary mean wholescale defaulting to lightning LOR..it's more than a good fight, it's their freedom and our last bastion of freedom standing and still lighting up atl Potong Pasir and Singapore!
I believe you have guts you will know who to vote..Vote for not your POCKET but our eternal freedom to live and our Country and our People! -
Originally posted by norey:
The stakes have changed... The eldery there wants the lift...
Right..Andy so others like WHO??Mah..etc.. it's never the lift or whatever goodies to tempt them, they are a BRAVE people 'cause they still are getting the end of the stick from PAP..when they voted.
Of course the slim % reduced does not necessary mean wholescale defaulting to lightning LOR..it's more than a good fight, it's their freedom and our last bastion of freedom standing and still lighting up atl [b]Potong Pasir and Singapore!
I believe you have guts you will know who to vote..Vote for not your POCKET but our eternal freedom to live and our Country and our People![/b]
Andy? Now he Marine Parade GRC MP liao... They fielded Sitoh -
CST mentioned he could do the LUP with lower costs than the PAP run Town Councils, but guess what, he wasn't allowed to proceed.
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I won't bet..don't try prophesying here!Originally posted by sbst275:The stakes have changed... The eldery there wants the lift...
Andy? Now he Marine Parade GRC MP liao... They fielded Sitoh hehehehehhehe! So goes AndyMah..and now Sitoh who? got to be kidding... -
That's why the other places SDA goes, they can erode PAP's winning marginOriginally posted by LazerLordz:CST mentioned he could do the LUP with lower costs than the PAP run Town Councils, but guess what, he wasn't allowed to proceed. -
Originally posted by sbst275:
good point LOR
That's why the other places SDA goes, they [b]can erode PAP's winning margin[/b] -
For Macpherson, I dun see 3 corner fight can be avoided
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I sure the opposition got enough love and guts to give and take..or else we the people will lose our freedom to talk and write here on Internet too- when the laws would be settled by the rulers to curb Internettting & bloggging..against what we feel and think according to conscience and fairness...Originally posted by sbst275:For Macpherson, I dun see 3 corner fight can be avoided
Last nite when our MP came the Police asked for my name and phone number!
That's not to say too much too little taht our freedom is important! 
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Originally posted by norey:
This one really terrible
I sure the opposition got enough [b]love and guts to give and take..or else we the people will lose our freedom to talk and write here on Internet too- when the laws would be settled by the rulers to curb Internettting & bloggging..against what we feel and think according to conscience and fairness...[/b]
DPP refuse to back down -
Never let our narrative be dictated by one sole monolith.
That's the day that the Other wins.
The reality of this world is a multiplicity of narratives, both social and individual, and we have the right to ensure we voice out according to our own interpretation and not let it be engulfed by the voice of a larger entity to our detriment, and in the long-term, that of the nation too. -
Listen:Last nite when our MP came the Police asked for my name and phone number! That's not to say too much too little taht our freedom is important!Originally posted by sbst275:This one really terrible
DPP refuse to back down
Okey I go... BYE! -
There are many things the Police cannot do without due cause.Many a time, they feed on the ingrained sense of deference and respect.Originally posted by norey:Listen:Last nite when our MP came the Police asked for my name and phone number! That's not to say too much too little taht our freedom is important! -
Originally posted by norey:Listen:Last nite when our MP came the Police asked for my name and phone number! That's not to say too much too little taht our freedom is important!
Can understand DPP's plight... They had always contested in Ayer Rajah, now it is gone -
Agreedd.. but I hav respect LAW too much to say least.. Bye! hav to go !Originally posted by LazerLordz:There are many things the Police cannot do without due cause.Many a time, they feed on the ingrained sense of deference and respect. -
Straits Time
March 11, 2006
Opposition guns for 57 seats after reaching electoral pact
By Peh Shing Huei and Ken Kwek
OPPOSITION parties last night met to carve a pact and settled on an ambitious line-up of 57 seats that they intend to gun for at the coming polls.
If this best case scenario happens for them, the People's Action Party (PAP) will not be returned to power on Nomination Day for the first time since the 1991 General Election.
Who wants what
Workers' Party: Hougang, Joo Chiat, Nee Soon East, Aljunied GRC, Ang Mo Kio GRC, East Coast GRC, Sembawang GRC
Singapore Democratic Alliance: Chua Chu Kang, MacPherson*, Potong Pasir, Yio Chu Kang, Jalan Besar GRC, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC
Singapore Democratic Party: Bukit Panjang, Nee Soon Central, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Jurong GRC
Democratic Progressive Party: MacPherson*
Note: *MacPherson single-seat ward is under neogotiation between DPP and SDA
After meeting for nearly an hour, more than 20 opposition figures agreed to take up nine out of the 14 group representation constituencies and all nine single-seats.
Whether they will eventually field candidates in all 57 seats remains uncertain. A more realistic figure would be closer to the low 40s, sources told The Straits Times later.
The agreement was arrived at amicably, said veteran opposition figure Chiam See Tong at an impromptu press conference after the pow-wow at PKMS building in Changi Road.
'We had a very good, fruitful meeting. We have come to a happy conclusion that there will be no three-cornered contests,' he said.
Last night's meeting marked a watershed of sorts for the opposition for reaching a pact early on and for revealing their choice of possible seats to boot.
In previous polls, opposition parties tended to keep their cards completely hidden until Nomination Day. It appears to stem from a desire to want to be known to voters in advance and not be accused of being political Johnny-come-latelys to their wards of choice.
But a little element of surprise remains. For example, the Workers' Party (WP), deemed the party to watch because of its concerted groundwork over the past few years, openly reserved four GRCs.
These are Ang Mo Kio GRC, helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Aljunied GRC, Sembawang GRC and East Coast GRC.
But WP chairman Sylvia Lim said: 'We have named four GRCs, but in the end we may go for three.'
The dropped GRC will likely be either Ang Mo Kio or Sembawang.
It is also aiming for three single-seats: its own Hougang, led by WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, Joo Chiat and Nee Soon East.
The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) led by Mr Chiam settled on the Pasir Ris-Punggol, Jalan Besar, and Tampines GRCs, along with his own Potong Pasir seat which he has held since 1984.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) got Jurong GRC and prevailed over one new single-seat - Bukit Panjang.
Mr Yip Yew Weng, president of the National Solidarity Party, which is part of the SDA, had made first bid for the seat. But last night he deferred to SDP chairman Ling How Doong, whose PAP opponent may be Mr Teo Ho Pin.
Mr Yip will move to the other new single-seat, Yio Chu Kang, where the PAP's Mr Seng Han Thong may be fielded.
Only one single seat, MacPherson, still has two bidders - the Democratic Progressive Party and the Singapore People's Party. It will be settled amicably, said Mr Chiam.
The most prominent opposition leader in attendance last night was Mr Chiam. Mr Low had a prior engagement, said colleague Miss Lim.
The 57 of 84 seats the parties reserved last night is the best case scenario, but unlikely to come to pass. Sources said that the parties may give up as many as three GRCs due to a lack of resources. If so, the contested seats would drop to 41.
But two unknown factors remain: the emergence of independents and the play that veteran opposition figure J.B. Jeyaretnam is likely to make. He said he intends to contest, provided he can annul himself from bankruptcy at a hearing on Tuesday.
He sent a representative to last night's meeting, who gave nothing away.
'He has a very bad sore throat and could not speak properly,' said Mr Chiam.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AARON LOW AND SUE-ANN CHIA
With that being the case, there will be no by-election effect. -
Did you watch the news now. the mini-star being interview said that it is good that the 57 seats being marked for competition, the voters will be given the chances to vote.
What are they thinking? that the citizens are naive. how had we landed into this suitation? they should known the answers. -
Opp no longer interested in Hong Kah and West Coast?