SINGAPORE: Ruling party pushes ahead with pandemic election
One of the key election controversies in Singapore was over the holding and timing of the election. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), in power since Singapore became self-governing in 1959, insisted on pressing ahead, while opposition parties called for a postponement. When the election took place, it was with few concessions to the realities of the ongoing pandemic, apart from some extended voting times and a requirement to use hand sanitiser.
Opposition candidates and parties had to rely solely on social media to get their message out, because of unfavourable coverage by state media. They also had difficulty accessing voters because of the PAP’s monopoly, manipulation and control of national grassroots groups, unions and organisations, on top of the difficulties involved in holding physical rallies in the context of the pandemic.
Jolovan Wham
