JAKARTA: As Singapore is expected to head to the polls in the coming weeks, urgent and immediate steps are required to effectively safeguard the integrity of the vote and remove structural barriers that favour the incumbents, regional lawmakers have said in a new report. Without these changes, Singapore’s upcoming general election will not be free and fair, said ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).

In the report “In Singapore, an Already Unfair Vote Undermined by COVID-19” released today, APHR documented structural flaws that prevent the election from being fair, including the Prime Minister’s broad powers over the entire electoral process that lack any effective oversight. The use of a group constituency system where candidates run as a team, coupled with the short campaigning period, also place difficulties on the opposition to field candidates and prepare adequately in advance.

“There’s a reason that the ruling PAP has won every election since Singapore’s self-governance – the entire process is heavily stacked in its favour,” said Teddy Baguilat Jr, APHR’s Executive Director and a former Philippine Member of Parliament (MP). “The only way the vote can be regarded as free and fair is if urgent and genuine structural and legal reforms are implemented, including reforming electoral bodies to ensure they are truly independent, and dropping all ongoing politically-motivated charges against opposition candidates.” 

“The very purpose of an election is for people to express their political will freely, and major changes are necessary to ensure that the upcoming vote fulfils the aspirations of the Singaporean people,” he said. 

Moreover, the environment in which the Singaporean people are able to exercise their right to participate in public life is heavily restricted. Key opposition candidates have been targeted with lawsuits by members of the ruling party, and voters in opposition-led constituencies face reprisals for not voting for the PAP, APHR said. Fundamental freedoms, which are intrinsically linked to free elections, are limited as the government controls the media and uses restrictive laws against dissenting and critical voices. 

“On polling day, the public shouldn’t be fooled by the absence of irregularities or electoral fraud. The current system is unfair from the start and entrenches a process that prevents any genuine political competition or free choice at the ballot,” Baguilat said. 

“Opposition candidates face insurmountable challenges not only to run in elections, but also for their message to reach eligible voters, due to a short campaigning period and strict media restrictions. In addition, authorities continue to use draconian laws to target political opponents and muzzle other critical voices, resulting in a limited civic space.”

Finally, Covid-related measures introduced – including those under the Parliamentary Elections (COVID-19 Special Arrangements) Act 2020 – fail to ensure a fair campaigning process during the pandemic, or protect the voting rights for specific groups, particularly the sick and overseas voters.  These challenges only compound the unfairness of the electoral process that already tilts favourably for the ruling party, APHR said.

“Singapore has until April 2021 to hold the election. There is no need to rush into organising one so soon, especially as the country continues to record hundreds of new daily coronavirus cases. There is no reason why the authorities are unable to accommodate all voters, and the possible exclusion of specific groups will only further undermine the legitimacy of the poll,” Baguilat said.