SPH warned for publishing election survey
By Leong Wai Kit
POSTED: 20 Jun 2013 3:49 PM
Early voters at the polling station at Blk 116D Rivervale Drive. (Photo: Olivia Siong)
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force, acting on the directions of the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), has issued stern warnings to Singapore Press Holdings and Straits Times Editor Warren Fernandez for publishing a Straits Times poll on the Punggol East by-election in January 2013.
The Straits Times had published an article "ST poll: More rooting for PAP", which contained the results of an election survey, after the Writ of Election for the Punggol East by-election had been issued.
AGC said the publication of the article was the result of Mr Fernandez's negligence.
It is an offence under the Parliamentary Elections Act to publish the results of any election survey during the period beginning with the day the Writ of Election is issued, and ending with the close of all polling stations on polling day.
This is punishable with up to 12 months' jail and/or a fine not exceeding S$1,500.
In a statement, SPH said the Straits Times newsroom cooperated fully with the police during their investigations and accepted that there was an internal lapse that led to the publication of the poll results.
It said that Patrick Daniel, its editor-in-chief of the English and Malay newspapers division, and Mr Fernandez were at the Central Police Division on Thursday morning to receive the written warnings on behalf of SPH and The Straits Times respectively.
- CNA/jc
