Current election dates a deterrent to youth participation
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Current election dates a deterrent to youth participation
By Guest Author
Published: October 27, 2009
By Zack and minor contributions/editing from Kelvin Teo.Zack (not his real name) works for an organization that collaborates closely with a Singapore government ministry on a project basis. He is passionate about bringing changes to the land he calls his country and home. He works tirelessly in his own capacity to help bring about changes that he hopes will one day benefit future generations. He does not like to talk about his contributions, but rather lets his feet do the talking.
Dr James Gomez pointed out in a public forum entitled:”Youth in Politics: Southeast Asia and Singapore” a trend that alleges a huge degree of political apathy amongst our youths. Gomez attributed this to our historical past, alluding to the Hock Lee bus riots that saw the participation of politically-active chinese middle schools and Nanyang University students. It isn’t wrong to say that the youth of today are the agents of change for tomorrow, but unfortunately, the conditions in Singapore currently do not have the fertile soil to sow the seeds of youth participation to bear the fruits of change for tomorrow.
I elect to focus the angle of my argument on the unfavorable dates in which the elections are held, which deter our youths’ participation in the events leading up to Polling Day. For the 2001 General Elections, the Nomination Day was on 25 October and the actual Polling Day was on 3 November and for the 2006 General Elections, the Nomination Day was on 27 April and the actual Polling Day was on 6 May.
In terms of schooling calender, the months of April to May and October to November are the most unfavorable. During that period, students will be busy revising for their examinations. During the 2006 General Elections, the final examinations for my university modules lasted until 3-4 days before Polling Day. As much as I wanted to attend an election rally, I ended up being bogged down by the heavy content of my modules. After my last paper, my professor came up to me and asked how was the paper. My cynical reply was that his paper was okay, but the date was problematic – it was agonizing close to the elections. The professor fell silent and gave me a wry smile. I must admit that I was quite cynical of the political development process in Singapore, and I considered myself among those youths who wanted to migrate. However, I had the good fortune of attending the final Workers’ Party rally at Serangoon stadium. It was a jam-packed atmosphere, but my outlook totally changed when Mr Low Thia Khiang led our national pledge. The icing on the cake was the “Ole, Ole, Ole!” chants that revived my childhood memories of the camaraderie amongst Singaporean football supporters at matches involving our national team at our Grand Old Lady (National Stadium). I thought this show of passion will be buried away for good, but I had least expect it to be revived in a rally such as this. The awe-inspiring air made me re-consider my options, convincing me to stay behind and work towards changes in every possible way that I could muster. However, it could have been different had my examinations finished later. I might have gone ahead and be a ‘quitter’ so to speak. I considered myself among the lucky few who could manage to soak in the atmosphere during elections time, but I cannot say the same for my other classmates who had to mug for their final examinations.
Narration of Kelvin’s experience
I had to help tutor a junior friend of mine who happened to live near Potong Pasir. My junior was preparing was for his General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations. I vaguely remembered it was the late October period. His daily routine was to study at the McDonald’s cafe at Potong Pasir, and I would come along and help him when I have the time. Most of his days was spent revising for his coming examinations. I could recall there was one night when Mr Chiam See Tong came in and and had a photo session with with my junior. His contesting candidate, Sitoh Yih Pin arrived moments later and had another photo session with him. So, my junior showed some good measure of fairness to both candidates by savoring the experience of a photo session with both of them. However, is that encounter even considered soaking in the atmosphere of elections? I think not, especially when he is studying the whole day, oblivious to what is happening around him, and then say “cheese!” for a few seconds in front of the camera with Chiam and Sitoh. That is really unfortunate, especially considering the fact that the elections period is a good time for our youths to soak in the atmosphere, but it has to fall during the busy part of their academic schedule.The next elections
The typical conspiracy theorist will say:”Oh the election dates are deliberately set because the government has learnt well from the past where the Chinese middle school and Nanyang University students were so actively involved in local politics, so the dates have to be fixed at a time when they are busy preparing for their examinations.” Whatever the ostensible reasons for the previous two General Elections dates, the busiest period merely takes up four months (April to May, October to November) in a year. Which means the more favorable periods take up the majority part of the year. The best periods for youth involvement would be during the holidays (June, December) and the months close to the date of school reopening (January, July). However, let’s look ahead in anticipation of the next General Elections. Hopefully, it will fall during a more favorable period when our youths will be able to soak in the atmosphere and participate in the political process without worrying for their studies. -
Excuses.... excuses...
I didn't find it a deterrent at all while in uni.
In fact, I even went for some rallies...
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What a lame excuse by opposition??? If you cannot swim, dun blame the swimming trunk too small ya.
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Originally posted by angel7030:
What a lame excuse by opposition??? If you cannot swim, dun blame the swimming trunk too small ya.
The Taiwanese 'hum' could have taken a piece of its imbecilic wisdom and remain silent or refuse itself to broadcast its ignorance with its daily insistence to publish its flippantly irrelevant and irrerevant replies in this Speaker's Corner.
Is anyone 'interested in its position that wouldn't bring much new thoughts even as it attempt to hit the front page in some sensational ways' ?
If only the "Attention Seeking Whore" inside the Taiwanese 'hum' will learn to 'be careful' and take its own imbecilic advise and "Just SHUT UP".
Originally posted by angel7030:Well, he has the right to remain silent or refuse the interview, he should known the media well, they are not interested in his position, that wouldn't bring much news and front page sensational in the media, his brother and late father is the ultimate news the reporters wanted, he should be careful. Just Shut up
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Originally posted by eagle:
Excuses.... excuses...
I didn't find it a deterrent at all while in uni.
In fact, I even went for some rallies...
Good for you,eagle. -
I went for a few rallies when I was still ineligible to vote...
Followed my uncle around to various places to listen to PAP, Chee, and a few others.
Remembered the various parties taking turns to talk at Jurong East Sports Complex field...
Actually I don't think I can name more than a handful of my friends who can tell the difference between representative/direct democracy, minister/MP, and so on :P Interest just not there...
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Originally posted by eagle:
Excuses.... excuses...
I didn't find it a deterrent at all while in uni.
In fact, I even went for some rallies...
TS just tries to stir up emotion in preparation for the coming election lah.
Look at the many posts by TS in speaker's corner.