Display of political propaganda on “Cooling off†and Polling
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Display of political propaganda on “Cooling off” and Polling day now a seizable offence
Written by Our Correspondent
In a sign that the PAP will be tightening the electoral rules to prevent the occurrence of a “freak” election, the display of “any badge, symbol, set of colours, flags, advertisement, handbill, placard or posters as political propaganda” – on Cooling Off Day and Polling Day have been made seizable offences. This means the police can make an arrest without a warrant.
The Cooling Off Day was proposed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last year to enable voters to make a “rational and informed” decision on the eve of the polls.
With public sentiments against the PAP at an all-time high, there is increasing fear that voters may be swayed by the opposition at the rallies which are usually emotional affairs, to cast a protest vote against it.
The additional day gives the PAP-controlled media time to react to “unforeseen mishaps” occurring in the heat of the electoral campaign such as a possible faux paus made by some senior leaders within the party.
The rule will also apply to any election advertising, online or offline. Those who break the law can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to 12 months or both.
Political websites are required to register with the Media Development Authority to engage in election advertising on the behalf of candidates during the campaign period. So far, only two NGOs – Singaporeans for Democracy and Think Center have registered with MDA.
Further restrictions are also imposed on public assemblies at Speakers’ Corner which will now require a permit from the Commissioner of Police from the time of Nomination Day to Polling Day.
Public gathering or protests involving even a person is now outlawed under the Public Orders Act implemented last year.
Though the Singaporeans are guaranteed basic rights such as the freedom of speech and assembly under Article IV of the Constitution, a series of repressive laws were promulgated over the years by the PAP to curtail the civil and political rights of citizens so that it can perpetuate its political hegemony.
The PAP has governed Singapore for 50 continuous years since 1959. While elections are held on a regular basis, Singapore lacks the other pillars of a functioning democracy such as a free press, a robust civil society and active citizenry.
International NGO Human Rights Watch described Singapore as a “textbook example of a repressive state” in its annual report released lately.
The next election may be the last chance for Singaporeans to reclaim their ownership of the nation after which they may soon find themselves being relegated to second class minorities, swarmed by the relentless influx of foreigners that the PAP is mass importing to shore up its eroding support base.
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Will there be a bill passed by the parliament before it becomes an act of parliament to affirm that cooling off day is a declared Singapore's public holiday?
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It is a stupid rule.
Anyone that see MM Lee or the Prime Minister would know they are from PAP. Similarly for Dr. Chee and Low TK to be from SDP and WP. And if people start to surround them and talk about politics or elections to them, are the police going to arrest them?
It is amazing that the PAP government wants to implement something that is impossible to implement. If these people are not considered as "symbols", then would wearing any T shirt with their portraits illegal?
Goh Meng Seng
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As usual the local press FAIL to report the Cooling OFF day in FULL DETAIL...
Let's hope the opposition UNITE and win all the 9 single seats and at least a GRC to show the ruling elite that SGreans have enough of the unanswered questions of the rising cost of living, public transport not on time, nt enough capacity, smaller HDB homes, rising ministers salaries! -
Haiz.. another reason to detain without trails...
Let hope they fell flat rather than lose gradually.
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Well, let just enjoy a good holiday, and if it a hot day, go buy herbal cooling tea to cool down, I think if you look from an opposition perspective, it is also good for them, a time for young singaporeans or new voters to hv a closer look at them, not only the govt. As many of the Singaporean lifestyle are busy, stressful and timeless or simply busy for nothing type, most have sway themselve from politics scene, you go down to Wendy, Carl Jr, or ECP or Youth corner at Orchard, you ask those young singaporeans, i bet you, other than our MM, PM, President and MOE, MOD minister, the rest not in their dictationary.
When i gather around with my youth frens, they dun even care who the govt is, unlike in taiwan, the youth are very agressive in political matters.
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No lar
now wat most impt
is need to have cooling period
for our Mr ah jack.
or else later no more movies from him
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Cooling off period is fine provided PAP intends to also cool off, else every little thing is fair game and riots are free for all.
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Free??? look who it talking??? hello!! this is singapore ok, where got free one???
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aiya now so hot day
we all need cooling period wat
where is my ice kachang?
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Originally posted by angel7030:
Free??? look who it talking??? hello!! this is singapore ok, where got free one???
Rioting is free, no need to pay money for it, just squat in jail for worst case scenario. -
In singapore, rotten or riot also must paid mah, u need to pay your time, need to pay the people to rot and riot with you...here where got free lunch one...
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Originally posted by angel7030:
In singapore, rotten or riot also must paid mah, u need to pay your time, need to pay the people to rot and riot with you...here where got free lunch one...
Only time free riot is when government sucks. -
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Only time free riot is when government sucks.
You hv to pay for your action in Singapore, u need to pay fine and also yr time to rot inside jail if you riot in Singapore, even throwing rotten rubbish also have to pay and pay.In taiwan, our village farmers will riot against the Minister of Agriculture all the way to his house without any problem, and the farmers get what they wanted, even Minister hv to come out and apologise, otherwise tomorrow his head will be somewhere floating in the taiwan strait. And we dun hv to pay for our rubbish, we just burnt it...free...free water too, free electricity too..
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Originally posted by angel7030:
You hv to pay for your action in Singapore, u need to pay fine and also yr time to rot inside jail if you riot in Singapore, even throwing rotten rubbish also have to pay and pay.In taiwan, our village farmers will riot against the Minister of Agriculture all the way to his house without any problem, and the farmers get what they wanted, even Minister hv to come out and apologise, otherwise tomorrow his head will be somewhere floating in the taiwan strait. And we dun hv to pay for our rubbish, we just burnt it...free...free water too, free electricity too..
You pay for riot only if no one else wants to support your riot. -
Looking at it, it makes sense to cover the logo of PAP outside all the PAP Kindergartens and wherever the logo appears on these days.
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Originally posted by Dondontan:
Looking at it, it makes sense to cover the logo of PAP outside all the PAP Kindergartens and wherever the logo appears on these days.
True True... -
Not a wise move by PAP, with internet access, voters will have an extra days to read propaganda from oppositions. Who will surf ruling party when the newspaper is expected to have extensive coverage for PAP?
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Originally posted by Wmyongj:
Not a wise move by PAP, with internet access, voters will have an extra days to read propaganda from oppositions. Who will surf ruling party when the newspaper is expected to have extensive coverage for PAP?
People who desire the truth. Please don't be so short-sighted. -
Originally posted by Wmyongj:
Not a wise move by PAP, with internet access, voters will have an extra days to read propaganda from oppositions. Who will surf ruling party when the newspaper is expected to have extensive coverage for PAP?
Expect a blackout on internet on cooling day.
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I expect all MPs and Minister giving Ang Pows to many voters on the day prior to election. In human psychology, we call it immediate action, these action causes recent reaction from the receivers such that they tend align their behavior and decision toward what was gained from the immediate actioner.
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They will probably use this to find fault with people.
Get ready to see some disqualifications.
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Originally posted by charlize:
They will probably use this to find fault with people.
Get ready to see some disqualifications.
With one day cooling off, may be more as they cannot come together to get things done.
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They will open Istana for the public again on the cooling day.
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Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
People who desire the truth. Please don't be so short-sighted.Two side of a coin, it is worthless to read too much into a cooling period. One day not going to move votes vice-verse. Singapore voters are mature enough not to be brought with extra holidays or money.
The purpose of this law is to provide for a longer 'cooling period' to take the heat from ruling party. Perhap they will impose a much longer period in future to be effective.