Election - A popular misconception
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Are we really scare or inarticulate as suggested by Seah in littlespeck.com?
Election
A popular misconception
Ask someone who he's going to vote for, and chances are you'll learn something about the Singaporean. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Mar 11, 2006
For a long time I've been baffled by the reaction I get when I ask some Singaporeans, "Who are you going to vote for?" More often than not, he would reply, "Sorry, can't yell you. Voting's a secret!"
This reticence to talk about one's political choice in an election, even from among educated liberal Singaporeans who advocate an 'open society' is a marked contrast to developed societies.
In the West, they'll happily tell you they're Republican or Democrat (United States) or that they'll vote Tory or Labour (Britain) - and give the reason why.
Some, in fact, pin badges of their choice. Very rarely would you hear amyome say, "Can't tell you, voting is secret."
For awhile, I had come to the conclusion that it was probably due to the Singaporean's fear of letting people know that he a opposition supporter, especially if he's a civil servant.
I'm sure the fear factor widely exists, but that's not the whole answer. How then can one explain the same answer emanating from supporters of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP)?
Surely there's no need to be afraid.
I can only think of two reasons for the phenomenon.
1. In early elections, opposition parties had made the transparency of the voting slip an issue by saying that the number attached to it was designed to allow the government to track down how people had voted.
The Government ran a campaign to counter it with the message "Your vote is secret", explaining the number was to prevent duplication.
The phrase "Your vote is secret" was passed on throughout the years, election after election, that it had come - erroneously - to mean that voters should not reveal which candidate or party they had voted for.
2. The second possible reason is that Singaporeans are reticent creatures who don't want to let people know their political choice, whether for PAP of opposition, for fear of a debate.
In other words, they don't want to get involved in any discussions, which may follow any answer they give. Singaporeans are not renowned for their ability or passion to articulate their beliefs, especially in politics. So better say nothing.
Whatever the reason, the Singaporean's close-mouthed attitude - or fear - to talk about their political choice doesn't augur well for the country's desire to become a vibrant city.
Today, if you were to ask people, "Who are you going to vote for?" you'll still likely get the answer, "Sorry voting is secret." Quite mindlessly!
If at all there's any light is that during in the run-up to the coming election is that younger professionals are more ready to say whom they'll vote for. -
This must change.
Anyway I have not come across those who are secretive about their vote.
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another reason could be, a lot of Singaporean had never got the chance to vote before
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Under the law, I think one can be found guilty and prosecute for revealing your vote in the public. It's no secretive that one wished to behave but as a duty to protect oneself from influencing the others.
Hence, don't blame anyone for not telling you. My advise is keep it to oneself till the day one have the longest sleep.
Don't ask just do it whatever you deem right. Result will be out after polling day. -
that, IMHO, is a law that should be burnt.Makes no damn sense in the development of the political landscape of Singapore.Originally posted by king108:: Under the law, I think one can be found guilty and prosecute for revealing your vote in the public. It's no secretive that one wished to behave but as a duty to protect oneself from influencing the others.
Hence, don't blame anyone for not telling you. My advise is keep it to oneself till the day one have the longest sleep.
Don't ask just do it whatever you deem right. Result will be out after polling day.
Influencing others is wrong?Right..Tell that to the 140th..
Balls. -
And where did you get this law from...? There's no such thing afaik.Originally posted by king108:: Under the law, I think one can be found guilty and prosecute for revealing your vote in the public. It's no secretive that one wished to behave but as a duty to protect oneself from influencing the others.
Hence, don't blame anyone for not telling you. My advise is keep it to oneself till the day one have the longest sleep.
Don't ask just do it whatever you deem right. Result will be out after polling day. -
If you have not realised by now... Alot of things don't make any DAMN SENSE in this country!Originally posted by LazerLordz:that, IMHO, is a law that should be burnt.Makes no damn sense in the development of the political landscape of Singapore.
Influencing others is wrong?Right..Tell that to the 140th..
Balls.
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Doesn't matter... Under their control and mouth, 'white' also can turn into 'black'... It's just a matter of whether they wanna do it...Originally posted by Rexdriver:And where did you get this law from...? There's no such thing afaik. -
Originally posted by Devil1976:Doesn't matter... Under their control and mouth, 'white' also can turn into 'black'... It's just a matter of whether they wanna do it...
I am no a lawyer non in the government. Apologise if I had offenced anyone in the course of my statement.
Please kindly refer to PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT Chapter 218 under Exit polls ban on polling day clause 78D and Prohibition of canvassing on polling day clause 80.
I am no challenging anyone here. I think all are mature enough to read and understand the law. My legal english is no good, maybe you can help to educate me. Thank you.
Best regards. -
Originally posted by king108:
Sorry to add on[b] Prohibition of dissuasion from voting under clause 81.[/b] This is the one that our friend initially needed to know. I am no a lawyer non in the government. Apologise if I had offenced anyone in the course of my statement.
Please kindly refer to [b]PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT Chapter 218 under Exit polls ban on polling day clause 78D and Prohibition of canvassing on polling day clause 80.
I am no challenging anyone here. I think all are mature enough to read and understand the law. My legal english is no good, maybe you can help to educate me. Thank you.
Best regards.
[/b]
I do not wish to violiate any copy right rules for pasting them here, if read for your understanding. -
Originally posted by king108:
Finally, please be friends no foe and don't shoot me.. I scare scare.
Sorry to add on[b] Prohibition of dissuasion from voting under clause 81. This is the one that our friend initially needed to know.
I do not wish to violiate any copy right rules for pasting them here, if read for your understanding.[/b]
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My advise is just to do it whatever you deemed right for you and for the singapore? Why ask? We are mature enough to make the decision now. Unless you can't make your? I had never asked as I know what I wanted for whole singapore and my life.Originally posted by LazerLordz:This must change.
Anyway I have not come across those who are secretive about their vote.
Don't rely on people to choose for your life.
Don't let other people to carry out the duties for you.
Is your right, use it.
In God, we believed.