Election Deposit to Be Raised to Deter Oppos?

[makapaaa]

Mar 25, 2010

No lack of credible election candidates

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IT WAS intriguing to read Tuesday's letter by Mr Tan Hong Ngan, 'General Election: Ban walkovers'. Since the implementation of group representation constituencies (GRC), I have not had a chance to vote in the past few decades. While the GRC system serves the ruling party well, I wonder if any changes would be palatable.
The idea to ban walkovers and insist on compulsory voting even in lone GRC wards is sound and logical to reveal the sentiments of the ground in various constituencies. At least in democratic Singapore, people are given a chance to express their wishes.
While I agree with Mr Tan that lack of resources was the main reason for the opposition parties' non-participation, there is no lack of credible candidates.
If potential candidates are not tested in election campaigns and public rallies, it is not fair to say opposition parties lack credible candidates. I am sure with the infusion of new citizens and new talent, credible candidates will appear sooner rather than later.
The daunting amount of multiple deposits in GRC wards creates a stumbling block to small political parties. How may parties can afford the huge amount from their party funds in the first place?
If the ruling party changes the rules to peg the amount of election deposit on the basis of 'one man, one vote for one ward', regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC ward, the ground will be more even.
Paul Chan

 

[cooleo]

If the ground is even, Ass Loong will be too busy thinking of ways to FIX opposition. Where got so free?!

 

[SotongMee]

Not to deter the oppos, more to deter the jobless opportunists.

Mar 25, 2010

No lack of credible election candidates

<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
IT WAS intriguing to read Tuesday's letter by Mr Tan Hong Ngan, 'General Election: Ban walkovers'. Since the implementation of group representation constituencies (GRC), I have not had a chance to vote in the past few decades. While the GRC system serves the ruling party well, I wonder if any changes would be palatable.
The idea to ban walkovers and insist on compulsory voting even in lone GRC wards is sound and logical to reveal the sentiments of the ground in various constituencies. At least in democratic Singapore, people are given a chance to express their wishes.
While I agree with Mr Tan that lack of resources was the main reason for the opposition parties' non-participation, there is no lack of credible candidates.
If potential candidates are not tested in election campaigns and public rallies, it is not fair to say opposition parties lack credible candidates. I am sure with the infusion of new citizens and new talent, credible candidates will appear sooner rather than later.
The daunting amount of multiple deposits in GRC wards creates a stumbling block to small political parties. How may parties can afford the huge amount from their party funds in the first place?
If the ruling party changes the rules to peg the amount of election deposit on the basis of 'one man, one vote for one ward', regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC ward, the ground will be more even.
Paul Chan