SINGAPORE: Three bills have been tabled to amend the Constitution as well as the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts - paving the way for changes to the political system ahead of the next General Election, due by February 2012.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had proposed in May last year several enhancements to the political system. These include decreasing the size of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC), increasing the number of Non-Constituency MPs and making the Nominated MP scheme permanent.
Mr Lee had said the changes are to reflect the aspirations of Singaporeans, and to provide for more diverse views in Parliament.
The changes to the Constitution though will not set out the number of GRCs and Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs); that will be set by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
Changes to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts will also pave the way for a 'cooling-off' day as mentioned by Mr Lee in November 2009.
This is a one-day blackout period for political parties and candidates during the eve of polling day, where no form of campaigning is allowed except for party political broadcasts.
And following the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS), individuals will also be allowed to post election-related advertisements online. Foreigners though, will not be allowed to do so.
And as part of the ongoing review of electoral law, the change will also reflect a wider range of responses to tackle any crisis that can disrupt or undermine the election.
For example, in a Parliamentary Election, the President may cancel the original writ of election and issue a fresh one, if an election totally fails - such as when there is no candidate nominated or elected, due to widespread catastrophe.
The returning officer may also change the timing of nomination or terminate polls at a polling station early. This will also apply to overseas polling stations.
Other changes include streamlining election spending rules and updating the list of offences under the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts.
The changes in fines and jail terms, however, do not add to the list of offences for which disqualification of Parliamentary membership may arise.
The amendments tabled will have to go through a second reading in Parliament expected in April.
- CNA/sc
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had proposed in May last year several enhancements to the political system. These include decreasing the size of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC), increasing the number of Non-Constituency MPs and making the Nominated MP scheme permanent.
Mr Lee had said the changes are to reflect the aspirations of Singaporeans, and to provide for more diverse views in Parliament.
The changes to the Constitution though will not set out the number of GRCs and Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs); that will be set by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
Changes to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts will also pave the way for a 'cooling-off' day as mentioned by Mr Lee in November 2009.
This is a one-day blackout period for political parties and candidates during the eve of polling day, where no form of campaigning is allowed except for party political broadcasts.
And following the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS), individuals will also be allowed to post election-related advertisements online. Foreigners though, will not be allowed to do so.
And as part of the ongoing review of electoral law, the change will also reflect a wider range of responses to tackle any crisis that can disrupt or undermine the election.
For example, in a Parliamentary Election, the President may cancel the original writ of election and issue a fresh one, if an election totally fails - such as when there is no candidate nominated or elected, due to widespread catastrophe.
The returning officer may also change the timing of nomination or terminate polls at a polling station early. This will also apply to overseas polling stations.
Other changes include streamlining election spending rules and updating the list of offences under the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts.
The changes in fines and jail terms, however, do not add to the list of offences for which disqualification of Parliamentary membership may arise.
The amendments tabled will have to go through a second reading in Parliament expected in April.
- CNA/sc
