Next GE: Rules of engagement

Next GE: Rules of engagement

Singapore

Next GE: Rules of engagement

my paper
Tue, Mar 15, 2011

1. Use of new media in campaign activities

Before: Only party websites, chat rooms, discussion forums, e-mail, SMSes and hyperlinks could be used for Internet election advertising.

Now: Podcasts, video-sharing sites like YouTube, microblogs like Twitter, MMS, social-networking sites like Facebook and electronic media applications are permitted.

2. Appeals to forward election advertisements

Before: Political parties and candidates were not allowed to circulate materials, such as chain e-mail messages, appealing to recipients to forward them.

Now: They are free to do so.

3. Use of live recordings as campaign tools

Before: Candidates or groups of candidates could use only photographs for election advertising.

Now: They can distribute and exhibit live recordings of lawful election activities during the election period.

4. Distribution of live campaign recordings

Before: All films had to be sent to the Board of Film Censors for classification before being shown or distributed.

Now: Live recordings of lawful election activities are exempt from classification. The film must not dramatise the event or have additions, subtractions, omissions or other modifications.

5. Declaration of new-media tools for elections

Before: Not applicable.

Now: All candidates must declare the new-media platforms they own which they intend to use for election advertising within 12 hours of the start of the campaign.

6. Individual Singaporeans participating in Internet election advertising

Before: During the elections period, those who publish election advertisements had to declare their particulars on the material.

Now: They need not do so if they are acting in an unpaid personal capacity.

7. Authorisation for election expenses

Before: Election agents had to fill up two forms reporting the payment of expenses by the party.

Now: Election agents must fill up two additional forms when consolidating the expenses of candidates within a GRC.

8. Non-citizens in election activity

Before: Non-citizens were prohibited from taking part in any form of election activity.

Now: Workers who are Singapore PRs or work-pass holders can now carry out manual work such as putting up election posters.

9. Election-campaign promotional items

Before: Parties and candidates could promote themselves using only buttons, pens, pencils and balloons.

Now: They can distribute items such as diaries, key chains, soft toys, tissue packets and T-shirts without declaring their personal particulars.

10. Permit for Speakers' Corner

Before: People could speak at the Speakers' Corner without a permit since 2008.

Now: This will be revoked during the campaign period. All activities there require a permit from police, whether or not the space is designated as an election site.