Vote Against vs Abstain From Vote vs No Vote

[xingguy]

So far in the history of Singapore, when the party whip is not lifted no PAP MP voted against (or vote no) on policies being tabled.
Thus, it is a a no brainer that the consequences of voting against (or vote no) must be grave.

Abstaining from voting is different from no vote (or not voting which spineless Inderjit Singh did).

Abstain from vote is consider defying the whip (akin to people spoiling their vote).
It takes a MP with a spine to abstain from voting.

No vote are those absent on the day of voting and are recorded.

Source: PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, TWELFTH PARLIAMENT
ABSENT:

Dr Chia Shi-Lu (Tanjong Pagar).
Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar).
Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat (East Coast).
Ms Tan Su Shan (Nominated Member).
Mr Alvin Yeo (Chua Chu Kang).
PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT

Under the provisions of clause 2(d) of Article 46 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the following Members have been granted permission by the Speaker to be absent from sittings of Parliament (or any Committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated:

[table="width: 500"]
[tr]
[td]Name[/td]
[td]From
2013[/td]
[td]To
2013[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Mr Lee Kuan Yew[/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Ms Tan Su Shan[/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[td]08 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Dr Vivian Balakrishnan[/td]
[td]10 Feb[/td]
[td]13 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Dr Teo Ho Pin[/td]
[td]14 Feb[/td]
[td]14 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]19 Feb[/td]
[td]26 Feb[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]22 Mar[/td]
[td]24 Mar[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

The Hansard record shows that the spineless Inderjit Singh was present on that day and did not vote.

In another news article, Inderjit Singh was quoted as saying "All I want to say is I was not present for the vote. I spoke from my heart and will do what I can to change things."

 

[laksaboy]

The only time when they are present and punctual: celebrating their Ah Kong's birthday party.

 

[jw5]

And that is why whenever the contest is between MIW party vs ANY Opposition party, ALWAYS vote the opposition party.

So far in the history of Singapore, when the party whip is not lifted no PAP MP voted against (or vote no) on policies being tabled.

 

[Sinkie]

I see Giam is there on the left.

 

[xingguy]

The only time when they are present and punctual: celebrating their Ah Kong's birthday party.

For the 60%, you voted them in to speak for you but they vote according to party line and not the constituencies interest and personal conviction.

Think and vote wisely comes next GE.