Keep Singapore GE Campaign Free From Foreign Interference, Says Elections Department

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, June 18 (Bernama) -- Singapore’s Elections Department has reminded candidates of the next general election to play their part in mitigating the risk of becoming vectors or victims of foreign interference. “Candidates should enhance their understanding of the threat and be alert of suspicious behaviours and hidden agendas, so that their election campaign is free from foreign interference,” it said during a virtual background briefing on preliminary campaigning guidelines for the general election here Thursday. The department said only Singapore citizens could take part in the election and the campaign. Any Singapore citizen who wants to conduct any election activity -- whether online, offline or both -- must have a written authority signed by the candidate or his election agent, it said. “Individuals who are not citizens of Singapore are prohibited from taking part in any election activity,” it said. Other than that, students attending a primary or secondary school, a person who has an order of supervision made against him under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Cap. 67), and an undischarged bankrupt are prohibited from taking part. "It's regardless of their relationship with the candidate," the department added. At the briefing, the department outlined the set of preliminary campaigning guidelines drawn up for the election, given the likelihood that the COVID-19 situation could persist beyond April 2021, by which time the general election must be held. The guidelines take reference from the republic’s Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines pertaining to Phase 2 of the reopening after the Circuit Breaker which were announced on June 15, 2020. When new guidelines are issued for Phase 3, the department will update the campaigning guidelines in accordance with the prevailing MOH guidelines as necessary. The next Singapore general election is due to be held by April 14, 2021. -- BERNAMA