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Although the law states that a by-election must be held when an MP has vacated his seat, it does not spell out when the Prime Minister must call the by-election.
However experts on constitutional law say that if no timeframe is stipulated, it should be interpreted as “ with all convenient speed” and SMU assistant law professor (Nominated MP) Eugene Tan, has quoted “three months” as a reasonable period.
Unfortunately on several occasions including two in 1986, single seats were left vacant for close to 2 years and by-elections were not held and replacement MP’s were elected only in the next general elections!
All of us understand that there are always important matters of state that require our politicians’ full attention. It will be the national budget this week; the MRT inquiry in March or the Greek crisis and of course the US Presidential elections in November.
But how about Hougang’s residents?
- http://nofearsingapore.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-by-election-hougang-singaporeans-not.html
However experts on constitutional law say that if no timeframe is stipulated, it should be interpreted as “ with all convenient speed” and SMU assistant law professor (Nominated MP) Eugene Tan, has quoted “three months” as a reasonable period.
Unfortunately on several occasions including two in 1986, single seats were left vacant for close to 2 years and by-elections were not held and replacement MP’s were elected only in the next general elections!
All of us understand that there are always important matters of state that require our politicians’ full attention. It will be the national budget this week; the MRT inquiry in March or the Greek crisis and of course the US Presidential elections in November.
But how about Hougang’s residents?
- http://nofearsingapore.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-by-election-hougang-singaporeans-not.html
