Your vote is secret
By Gerald Giam
16 September 2010 | 46,458 Reads | 102 Comments | 
Print
| 
Email
Many Singaporeans harbour the misconception that their vote during elections is not secret. I’ve talked to many people, both educated and less educated, and the overwhelming majority seem to think this way. This is despite the fact that at every election, the Elections Department takes pains to communicate to voters two main points: Voting is compulsory, and voting is secret. I guess this is a point that Singaporeans just refuse to believe our government about.
It is even more unfortunate that some persist in perpetuating this urban myth, which only serves to strike more fear into the hearts of Singaporeans who are thinking of voting for the opposition. A letter in Temasek Review today exhorted Singaporeans to spoil their votes because, the writer reasoned, then the PAP won’t “mark” you for voting against them and if there are enough invalid votes, it will indirectly increase the opposition’s share of the valid vote.
This is wrong on many counts. I’ll highlight just two: Firstly, the PAP does not know which party you voted for, so they won’t know who to “mark”, even if they wanted to. Secondly, invalid votes do not factor in the final count, which is based on valid votes. This means that if there were 10 votes–six for the PAP, three for the opposition and one spoiled–the final tally is 66.6 per cent to the PAP (six divided by nine, with the spoiled vote excluded), not 60 per cent.
Let’s be very clear: YOUR VOTE IS SECRET. I will take you through the whole balloting process to see why:
1. On Polling Day, each voter at the polling station is issued a ballot paper without his name on it. (I’ll talk about the serial numbers later.) He/she marks the ballot paper in a booth out of sight of anyone else. No cameras are permitted in the polling station so there is no way to observe how voters vote. The voter then folds up the paper and drops it in the ballot box. Throughout the day, counting agents from each party are at the polling station to ensure the ballot boxes are not opened.
2. At the close of polling, usually at 8pm on the same day, the ballot boxes are sealed with tamper-proof seals (which are signed over by the candidates) and transported to the Counting Centre.
3. At the Counting Centre, the ballot boxes from the polling stations are unsealed in the presence of the candidates and their assistants and emptied in a common heap. The election officials (who are civil servants) then count the votes in full view of the candidates from all contesting parties, who ensure that the votes are counted properly and the election officials follow all the rules.
4. Immediately after counting, the votes, together with all the relevant records, the stubs of the ballot papers and any unused ballot papers are sealed in the boxes (again with tamper-proof seals) and transported to the Supreme Court vault for storage.
5. Six months later, if there are no disputes over the outcome of the election, the sealed boxes are transported to the incineration plant, where, in the presence of all the candidates (including the losers), the votes and records are completely destroyed by fire.
As you can see from above, at no point are the boxes opened without the candidates or representatives from all the contesting parties being present.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What about the serial numbers on the ballot papers?
This is a safeguard against election fraud such as bringing counterfeit ballot papers into the polling station, voter impersonation or casting ballot papers which have been marked by others. Many other countries, including the UK, have numbered ballot papers. As explained above, there is no opportunity for the election officials or candidates to peek at the votes and match them against the electoral roll. Remember there are no names on the voting slips, and if one wanted to match the serial numbers, one would have to sift through a huge list of thousands of voters in full view of the candidates.
It is possible, though, that in the event of a disputed outcome, the courts could order that the boxes be taken out of storage and the votes recounted. However this would again be done in full view of the candidates. In any case, there has been no court order issued to retrieve votes since Singapore first conducted elections in 1948.
Q. Why does the election official call out my name and voter number at the polling station before giving me the ballot paper?
So as to enable the representatives of contesting political parties at the polling station to verify and cross out your name on their copies of the electoral register. They will know you voted, but won’t know who you voted for.
Q. After elections, some politicians say certain blocks supported the ruling party or opposition. Does it mean they know my vote?
Nobody knows how each individual voted. Each polling station serves about 10 to 20 blocks of flats or a few landed housing estates. They may know the aggregated number from each polling district, but not the individual votes.
—–
In summary, I emphasise again that voting is secret. So come the next elections, vote with your conscience, not with fear!
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
|
Email
I am a non-constituency MP from the Workers' Party. I blog in my personal capacity. 
September 16th, 2010 at 4:50 AM
I’ve heard about people who cast a null n void vote (e.g., by crossing both boxes representing both contesting parties), and subsequently receiving letters telling them that they should not be doing such.
More than 1 person did that and they all got the same letters. How do you explain that then?
September 16th, 2010 at 5:34 AM
@Yong You ‘heard’. The whole point of the article is to debunk hearsay. *Hearsay*.
So unless you can produce the letter in question, its all hearsay.
September 16th, 2010 at 6:20 AM
Agree with Jason. I have also “heard” many such horror stories but never once have I seen proof of it – at all.
If these people which Yong said received “letters telling them that they should not be doing such”, then perhaps they should produce these letters for all to see.
Otherwise, we should stop propagating such fears and spend our time encouraging others to vote courageously instead.
September 16th, 2010 at 10:37 AM
My teacher friend who was trained by election dept to help out during elections said the trainer told them they know who voted and for who.
Why wld they stoop so low?
September 16th, 2010 at 10:53 AM
What is tamper proof seal? Can the election official open the boxes at a later date, look at the votes, then re-seal back?
September 16th, 2010 at 11:01 AM
I believe that the ruling party does not bother to scrutinize how one chooses to vote.
But its true when they are able to tell within a very significant accuracy which blocks had a higher percentage of voters for the opposition. This is enough for them to determine policies for the estate.
The common heap.. that only takes place sometimes in counting areas where the opposition is able to put their own observers. In other places where there are none, its pretty much a case of opening the ballot box and counting.
The way they segregate the voters and the ballot boxes in which these votes are cast can tell quite accurately even within an estate which blocks of flats are pro PAP or opposition. The only way is to have a row of unmarked ballot boxes from which voters can randomly choose where to deposit their votes in.
September 16th, 2010 at 11:34 AM
[...] to Elections – Gerald Giam: Your vote is secret – The Temasek Review: Leaders should lead by example with minimal cost – I’m getting [...]
September 16th, 2010 at 12:33 PM
i would encourage Gerald giam to post this article to TR (they will publish it despite of their anti-WP stance as its their policy to publish any article) to counter the article calling for void votes. TR has a larger audience than this site.
on another matter,is robert ho’s claims abt votes being brought from outside during 1997 cheng san true or not? since low TK was a member of WP then,perhaps he could shed some light on this
September 16th, 2010 at 12:36 PM
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by theonlinecitizen, Leonard Chong. Leonard Chong said: Your vote is secret. You satisfied? http://bit.ly/8XqRnE [...]
September 16th, 2010 at 12:46 PM
The vote is secret. The serial number of the ballot prevents fraud.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:15 PM
I am sceptical. Sure, the government has little reason to peek at individual votes. That’s common sense.
But, it’s not inconceivable that they can find out who you voted for, if they really want to. No system is so foolproof, it cannot be gamed.
Here are pertinent questions:
1. What is a tamper-proof seal? It is a atomic-bomb proof device that would not break?
2. Ballot boxes are stored in the Supreme Court vault? So, who has the secret second key?
3. I find the need for serial number on ballot papers unconvincing. Couldn’t an alternative system that is as good against fraud be devised?
September 16th, 2010 at 4:47 PM
I voted twice. first i spoiled the vote by crossing both box, i did not received any letter. the second time i voted for the opposition, and i was a civil servant then.
September 16th, 2010 at 5:08 PM
@ Skeptical
The serial no. at the moment is the best anti-fraud mechanism. How else would anyone stop PAP from faking votes to ensure it’s total dominance?
I’m surprised that most people think that the serial no. is there for the PAP’s sake rather than thinking on more neutral grounds – that it is a mechanism to prevent any party from faking votes or astroturfing.
Of course, it is not inconceivable that PAP can find out who you vote for, if they really want to. But you got to question if the PAP have any motivation to do so in the first place. Simply put – it is not easy to track, first they need to know your IC, match it to the serial no. of your voting slip, then find THAT among the million other voting slips. Even if they know, what can they do? Tell your boss to sack you? Make you disappear? It is not worth the effort to fix a small fry.
September 16th, 2010 at 5:19 PM
The teachers are trained by the Election Dept to go spread fear to their students since the students do not know how to judge and refute what the teacher had said. Our education system is not like the West where the student can rebuke their teachers. In turn the students go back and spead the fear to their parents and that is how the fear propagates.
Thus we need the student to be aware of this and rebuke the teacher when they tries to spread fear by asking these 2 simple questions:
1. How?
2. Got evidence?
September 16th, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Rainnix, I find your comment highly ironical.
You are making assumptions about the role of teachers. Do you know what happen during the training sessions that the Election Department conduct? Do you have access to their training manuals? Are you a teacher? Are you a teacher who is selected to be an election official?
We need a critical citizenry to see a change in our political landscape, not a citizenry that spreads such assumptions. Having a citizenry which is quick to generalise only retards Singapore’s political progress.
In response to your comment, I will post the same questions you posted:
1. How?
2. Got evidence?
September 16th, 2010 at 9:28 PM
You mentioned that. “10 votes–six for the PAP, three for the opposition and one spoiled–the final tally is 66.6 per cent to the PAP (six divided by nine, with the spoiled vote excluded), not 60 per cent.”
The logic is flawed, because we won’t know if how the spoiled vote will lean towards, if instead they voted for the PAP (due to fear),that will make the final tally 70% for PAP.
September 16th, 2010 at 10:53 PM
@Yong those are just generic letters sent out to everyone. Why would the Elections Department be so stupid as to reveal that the vote is not secret (even if it isn’t)? That will just quash any legitimacy of the PAP won’t it?
@ben, a lot of people have the misimpression that voting is not secret. This trainer is probably one of them.
@Lee, a tamper proof seal is a special type of sticker that tears when peeled off. As an additional safeguard against someone peeling it off and replacing it with another one, the candidates sign on the sticker itself. They can verify that the seal wasn’t broken when the box is brought out of storage.
@skeptical
1. I’ve already answered above.
2. Even if someone gets into the Supreme Court vault, they still can’t open the boxes without the candidates discovering it later.
3. There are other ways but this is the way it is in Singapore and many other countries. It does not mean that the votes are traced.
@Jeff Pang, a spoiled vote is a spoiled vote. There’s no such thing as a spoiled vote leaning towards the PAP.
September 16th, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Here is the story of my husband. He for the first time voted on 2006 GE GRC is Changkat. He chickened out at the polling station after he saw his ic number is tight to the serial number of the voting paper that he got.
September 17th, 2010 at 2:06 PM
Those who are afraid, are afraid. But can I request two things:
1. Don’t spread unsubstantiated rumours or urban myths. Prove what you say with hard evidence, such as scanned letters.
2. If you are afraid to vote against PAP, so be it, but don’t encourage others to do the same.
Regardless of voting secrecy: If you are afraid to vote for whom you want, you deserve whatever you get.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Every election there is about 30% of voters who voted for opposition and I am one of them. Do you ever hear of all these people being identified, targetted or victimised all these years? This alone should debunk any misconception.
I am wondering whether those who harbour such unfounded fear is basically just trying to find an excuse to justify themselves. They are basically pap supporters but cant reconcile the fact that they are so bad hearted as to support a dictatorship, they have to find an excuse for themselves.
September 19th, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Gerald,
Thanks for the brief write up on the election process, it is definitely very informative. I would like to suggest you further simplify the writeup with drawings, flow charts and photos and put it up on WP’s homepage.
The marterial can also be featured in brochures, pamphlets or newsletter that WP publishes. This will help enhance the voter proposition of the party as an organization that is positive, forward looking and assuring.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Let us be realistic, first voting is compulsory in Singapore, however, no voting is required in non-contested constituencies.
Secondly, 33 over percent voted for Oppositions in the Last Election and Potong Pasir and Hougang were won by Opposition Parties. Were they put into jail or charge for voting oppositions??
It is absolutely the Rights of the voters to vote any candidate they choose. If, as rumoured, those who voted against the Ruling Party will be selected for discriminations and disadvantaged after the elections, this country would have been in chaos long ago.
Exercise your Rights as mandated, it’s not as though Singaporeans are democratic to choose not to vote, all fears are groundless and the fear You imagined will caused aberration to your true sentiment.
VOTE WITH YOUR FEELINGS FOR ANY CANDIDATE AND OR PARTY.
patriot
September 19th, 2010 at 11:00 PM
@hellen, there is no need to fear when you see our IC number tied to the serial number. The voting paper itself doesn’t have your IC number, and there is no opportunity for anyone to match the serial number with the ICs, because there is very close oversight by the candidates whenever the ballot boxes are opened.
@Wai Leong, thanks and agree with you.
@omy, lol.
@Tessa, thanks for the suggestion. I have brought it up to my party colleagues. We actually do have a brochure which we’ve been giving out since the last election. If you email me your address, I’ll be happy to mail it to you. gerald.giam{at]gmail.
@patriot, exactly right! Please spread the word!
September 20th, 2010 at 3:44 AM
Would you be able to post your brochure online? Like on Google Docs or a free file hosting or online storage space or perhaps this website for us to download?
@Will.I.Am: You’re not very smart at reconciliation of a serial number to a NRIC number. You start simply by randomly picking ONE ballot who voted the opposition. Taking that serial number and backtrace it. Due to accountability, there is a record of where each block of serial is issued to each specific voting centre. From there you obtain the voting centre’s register and simply scan for the person whom serial number that was issued. Done.
Sorry but until they stop writing the serial number next to a person’s NRIC, it is my opinion that our votes are not secret (or simply not as secret as you think).
One does not need to go after every single person that voted the opposition, you simply pick a few and target them instead. It’s like winning TOTO, just that if you are the winner, you LOSE.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:06 AM
[...] Singaporean option to choose – Yawning Bread on Wordpress: Votker series: Poll no. 2 – Gerald Giam: Your vote is secret – The Temasek Review: Leaders should lead by example with minimal cost – I’m getting [...]
September 21st, 2010 at 10:53 PM
I’m voting for either the SDP or the Reform Party as they have been unequivocal in their backing of LGBT equality. I don’t care if my vote is secret or not.
So far, the Workers’ Party has sidestepped the issue entirely.
September 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 PM
@Roy Tan: “I don’t care if my vote is secret or not…”
This is a heartening statement.
Elsewhere, the usual reaction to the notion that ballots are being snooped on would be indignation, not fear.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:13 AM
Check this out to see how Hitler nudged people at the ballot box
http://nudges.org/2010/08/11/the-nazis-nudged/
November 25th, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Heard from an highly educated female friend of mine, there is a story of a civil servant who voted for opposition and after elections, haul up to his manager office and was scolded for not voting the incumbent. She does not like the incumbent also but fears to vote for opposition
When asked when was it, who was it, is it really true? Answer is “I do not know” for all three.
My feelings for this story is fearmonging to influence ppl to vote for the incumbent else they will risk facing the wrath of the incumbent.
November 26th, 2010 at 1:01 AM
If her boss knew about it, it is probably because she opened her big mouth and boasted to her colleagues that she voted for the opposition, not because her ballot was snooped.
In any case, there’s nothing wrong with civil servants voting for the opposition. Civil servants who think it’s wrong need to change their mindset.
Vote according to your conscience.
December 9th, 2010 at 11:02 AM
This is so true. I don’t understand why some Singaporeans have the irrational fear that their votes are tracked. Actually I think in this aspect, the Singapore government has been working pretty hard and have successfully kept the voting clean and corruption free.
December 28th, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Showing the voter that his NRIC is next to his ballot number is a fear mongering tactic.
I suspect this may swing a very significant amount of votes for the incumbent from the Neutrals.
On a separate note. The word ‘Opposition Party’ seem to have negative connotations around here. It’s as if we are supporting a rebellion if we vote for the Opposition. Perhaps ‘New Blood’ or ‘The Challenger’ might make a better collective noun than ‘The Opposition’
January 6th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Despite a high number of Singaporeans who are educated, I am sad to say that majority of us are unable to think and analyze logically.
From the postings, it is not difficult to find that majority of the Singaporeans have been shackled by the invisible chain called fear – self-fear to be precised. The first step to unlock the chain is to stop reading the local newspaper and stop watching local TV news programmes. The reason is simply because the local newspaper and local TV news programmes are constantly feeding our brain with a lot of shit. This is fatal especially to people who can’t think and analyze logically.
January 9th, 2011 at 12:14 AM
When I voted in 2006 for the Workers Party, I was a trainee teacher about to enter the civil service full-time. Throughout my teaching career I have never felt discriminated against in any way. I was promoted duly and given fair performance appraisals. Towards the end of my teaching bond I was even appointed as an election official, although I will never get to perform in that bureaucratic capacity.
If I had stayed on in the education service I would probably be able to witness the voting process and confirm my belief that voting is truly secret.
(I have heard enough of those fearful remarks, pronounced with iron-clad certainty, about how ‘they’ will mark you, about how civil servants /must/ vote for the PAP. Most of my family members, friends, colleagues, have all said those things. Many people around me don’t even dare mention who they voted for, not least discuss politics, because they (mis)interpret “Voting is secret” to mean that they cannot tell anyone how they voted. I think the phrase is meant to assure the voter that the vote she casts will not be made known to anyone. As long as a voter does not expose her voting slip at the voting booth to the sight of anyone, I think, she can say whatever she likes about voting for any party, because only what is marked on the voting slip counts. Nobody has to believe what she says is how she truly voted. While it is certainly an offence to /actively/ find out how others have voted or intend to vote {see [http://www.elections.gov.sg/voters_dosdonts.html], third “Don’t” from the last}, I believe that as long as you cast your vote in accordance with procedure, it is not an offence to volunteer information about your own political stand.)
It is not surprising that the PAP does not direct the Elections Department to do more to dispel this urban myth (say, mount one of those rather irritating or annoyingly ubiquitous government campaigns). Such a widely-held disbelief in voting secrecy, tragically, works in favour of the PAP.
February 27th, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Now with impending GE,unlike past GEs when many of us did not enjoy our right to vote due to GRC walk-overs, let not FEAR(real or imagined)RULE us anymore!After we have pondered over the candidates, let us vote with a clear conscience for the candidate who loves our little island nation and has the best interests in his heart and who will sacrificailly serve Singapore, even if he is not paid excessive payouts from taxpayer’s money!
March 5th, 2011 at 2:46 AM
How about someone employing magicians at each voting stations to change the votes after the ballot boxes are sealed? I do know, on TV, that magicians can do such amazing feats. :p
April 8th, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Dear fellow Singaporeans, spread this word around that your vote is secret as this irrational fear is keeping worthy opposition candidates out of parliament. WP lost Aljunied GRC by a mere 6% at the last election. I believe a key reason was voters voting by “default”.
Therefore, spread the word. Debunk the myth, especially with your civil servant friends and relatives.
Agree with Gerald. Vote with your conscience. Do not fear too that Singapore will be worst off without the PAP as there are no lack of capable people in Singapore. Most stay away from politics because of the “domineering” behaviour of the PAP. We need to support the opposition to provide a check and balance and to ensure accountability for the policies proposed by the PAP.
Vote wisely my fellow brothers and sisters. Change is at hand and we can make a difference!
April 8th, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Dear fellow Singaporean voters. Do not allow irrational fear consume us anymore! We must ponder over the available candidates in the GE, weather they will or will not serve us, n the we must go n vote with our conscience, for the sake of our island nation’s political future!
April 9th, 2011 at 3:33 PM
Kiasu and kiasi civil servants and employees of government listed would not have the guts to vote for the opposition for FEAR of losing their well-paid salaries,including recent 8 months’ bonus and increased pay adjustment. This is true especially for those in high positions and there is really nothing anyone can do to change their mindset.
April 11th, 2011 at 12:53 AM
we can never dictate how others may choose to think or react over such myths and stigmas but we can certainly do our part by spreading the truth and advocating our beliefs for what we want to see in our beloved country in future. We can persuade and encourage our friends to vote without fear for what they believe in and whom they wish to represent them.
I’ve seen a significant increase in the number of opposition supporters in the last GE and I believe that as more and more Singaporeans cast their votes in favor of the opposition candidates, such myths as the tracking down of votes would be debunked naturally.
I’m also inclined to believe that young voters like me are less likely to be affected by age-old social stigmas like this so hopefully in time to come we can look forward to GEs where the election results are better representations of the residents’ wishes. =))
I sincerely applaud those who have the courage to stand up and fight for the good of the common people, (especially those coming from the opposition) and the LEAST we can do to support deserving candidates in their cause is to cast ANONYMOUS slips of paper in their favor without being swayed by baseless rumors and false claims.
April 21st, 2011 at 1:10 AM
Hi Gerald, thank you so much for posting this. I am a civil servant, and I have also been serving as an election official in past elections. You are right that the serial numbers are controls to prevent fraud (by either party), and the fear of voting freely is quite unfounded.
It is hard for people like me to convince people that their vote is secret, because I will always be seen as “one of them”. I have read your party’s manifesto, and it is the clearest and most down-to-earth one I’ve seen so far, and I wish your team the best for this election. The rest of the opposition manifestos are too vague and full of angry rhetoric or impractical suggestions.
On a separate tangent, a plea to all voters: Please know that the elections officials you see at the polling stations on polling day DO NOT work for the Elections Dept. We also DID NOT volunteer to work as elections officials. We do not draw Minister salaries, and believe it or not, some of us joined the civil service in the belief that positive change can be brought about from the inside. Given a choice, many of us would rather cast our vote and go home.
Like you, we pay taxes. Like you, we served NS and endure traffic jams and ERP. Like you, we struggle to afford HDB flats. Like you, we squeeze on crowded buses and MRT trains and hate it. Like you, we worry if we will have to work until the day we die. Like you, we worry about the kind of Singapore our kids will grow up in.
Like you, we intend to let our voice be heard through our votes. So please try not to yell at the elections officials. We are trying our best to let you vote and go home as quickly as possible.
April 23rd, 2011 at 1:22 PM
I think no matter what is said, there’s always some people with different opinions.
April 25th, 2011 at 2:28 PM
For those who persist in “believing” that our votes are not secret because the PAP can trace and then nail them, then these people must think Singapore is a BANANA REPUBLIC!
Yet these same people insist on voting for the yaya-PAPayas.
Have these people gone bananas???
April 26th, 2011 at 2:45 PM
I am a civil servant. I live in Hougang. I have voted for Worker’s Party ALL THE TIME, EVERYTIME in the last elections. I have been promoted from Grade MX 12, to Grade MX 11 after the 2001 elections. And Grade MX 11 to Grade 10, and then Grade 9 after the 2006 elections. So three promotions over 5 years.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY RUBBISH that your vote will be traced. I am living proof of it. I hope people will tell the truth and spread the truth.
April 26th, 2011 at 3:06 PM
Thanks, Muhammad. Do share this more.
April 26th, 2011 at 5:40 PM
dear all, because you are here and reading this, it shows that you care. And because you care, you could make a difference. Your vote does matter and it’s important that you vote with a conscience, and not out of fear, convenience, or blind faith. Regardless of which party, as long as you thought through and have decided that you can entrust the country’s, or even if it’s just your own future to, that, i think is good enough.
April 26th, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Hi Gerald, Thank GOD, that u have greatly re-assured the many easily-frightened voters from voting out of fear, insidiosly cultivated by you know who! Now we will hopefully see the people of Spore vote with their conscience! I will surely give u my vote and will convince my dear 54yr wife to vote for The Workers Party too! So that u guys can be brought into parliament to ask relevant questions which the incumbent ruling party has not been asked for so very long!! Oh i am 66 yrs young!
April 26th, 2011 at 9:38 PM
I am also a civil servant, and so far i have not seen any punishments from my vote for the WP in 2006.
Even if there is, i am more worried for the future of Singapore than any punishments.
April 27th, 2011 at 2:36 PM
[...] Are your voting slips serialised and tracked? Your vote is secret | geraldgiam.sg Your vote is secret By Gerald Giam 16 September 2010 Many Singaporeans harbour the [...]
April 27th, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I do not understand why are there people spreading that voting oppositions may cause serious trouble? Didn’t the govt say voting is fair, equality, impartial in every GE? Why should we fear because we vote for oppositions? The first time i vote for opposition, This year is my 2nd time i’m voting, i even apply BTO flats with my wife last year & have successfully ballot for a flat together with the housing grant. So how do you prove that? Like what others says above, vote with conscience! Not with fear!!
April 28th, 2011 at 5:03 PM
Well, maybe to trace it all back to the very beginning, perhaps there’s some bad eggs spreading these rumours around to instill fear so that we vote for PAP. I’ve heard stories too, like how a mother can’t enroll her kid into PCF because the secretary told her her daughter cant be in school as she had voted for the opposition in 2006 GE. You see, when a story is told to B, B will tweak it to C and C will tweak it even more to DEFGHI.. So what we get at the end of day is a twisted story that isnt factual anymore.
So for my elders and those who still believe in this myth, please please vote for what you think is right/want not because of fear.
April 28th, 2011 at 5:19 PM
My best friend’s mum had received a called after the last election and was ask to do a survey and the survey was why your whole family vote for opposition party…. How come they know if the voting is secret? But don’t afraid to vote for your favour party.
April 28th, 2011 at 8:40 PM
@Someone. Perhaps they did profiling based on the general vote count across blocks or it was just a random survey? And I really don’t think the PAP or govt would conduct surveys like that. They won’t have the time to sift thru all the voting slips to single out who voted for who anyway. I won’t even know who my family members voted for unless they choose to tell me. =))
April 29th, 2011 at 1:06 AM
i remembered the last time i voted, the person at the desk recorded my voting slip serial onto the namelist beside my name. So if the vote is secret why do that? wouldn’t they be able to track who i voted for by matching my slip to the serial on the list?
April 29th, 2011 at 1:24 AM
There is a loophole. From the time which the boxes are stored till they are sent to the incineration plant, who is to ensure that no one sees the votes? The signature on the tamper proof tape can easily be forged.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:55 AM
Let’s just sidestep a bit, and _assume_ that our votes _can_ be traced.
Let’s just assume that some unlucky ones _might_ have been singled out for discrimination out of the many so as to not arouse suspicion.
With these assumptions, all I can say is, “So?”
Think about it, if the votes are counted fairly, and people vote according to what they really want to, despite this knowledge drilling fear into them, which party/parties would be the majority instead truly?
Think about it. Assuming that most voters went for the opposition parties. Assuming that the counts were done fairly. Would PAP, the one whom so many people fear of executing the trace and discrimination supposed myth, still be in full ruling power to exert such supposed ostracization on the ones who voted against them, without obvious noticing?
Think about it. Everyone. Please. Just vote with honesty, and not fear. I’ve already seen and heard a few brainwashed people in my office mongering fear around the place that I’m about to snap and scream in their faces.
Just my 2.14 cents before another GST hike.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:58 AM
does all candidates witness the movement of the boxes to the so called storage room? how can anyone ensure nobody access the room? 6 mths period is enough for tracing to be done. with the technology now how is it not possible to even x-ray thru the boxes?
In anyway do not fear on who you voted for. vote for who you think can make the improvements and lead us in the next 5 years. what would be more relavent, a 50% vs 50% in the parliament or 90% vs 10%. unless you trust that the ruling gov is hearing the people voices and making the right and best choice for both the country and people. then no fight is needed.
April 29th, 2011 at 3:08 AM
rather b safe, just vote foR PAP and stay relaxed, nvm Singapore will still accelerate .
Y b stupid voting for opposition and stay in fear
April 29th, 2011 at 3:54 AM
@misrt. Yeah Singapore will accelerate but many others might be left behind too. =(( Why should anyone stay in fear for exercising their right as a citizen to choose the candidates who they want to serve and represent them in parliament? We are given this right by the law and the ruling party will not break its own laws.
April 29th, 2011 at 9:29 AM
The same allegations have been made about the UK electoral process for years. The fact of the mater is that serial numbers are currently the best way to ensure no fraud, but at the same time they do require us to trust in the officials.
It is entirely possible that this system COULD be abused and individual votes discovered, so to argue it couldn’t will probably do little to appease a sceptic. But the fact remains that to do so would require an immense amount of co-ordination and secrecy, and despite any misgivings I may have about Singapore’s political system I have serious doubts that any organisation could so effectively cover something that so many individuals have played a part in monitoring.
It would also require more effort than it is worth – the government already knows which wards didn’t vote for it, so it can make examples of them by keeping them at the back of the queue for regeneration programmes. They also know which blocks were covered by which polling stations, so they will have a rough idea of which areas within each ward supported them, which will inevitably assist them when they redraw electoral boundaries before the next election – a dubious practice, but again one that has been used in the UK as well.
However, to take it right down to the individual vote would require considerable effort and resources for little gain. Taking last election as an example, it has been easy for the Government to penalise the two areas whose majority failed to support them, but it would be so much harder to penalise the roughly third of voters who supported the opposition on an purely individual level. Why? Diversity of areas, for one thing. You cannot build a covered walkway and then tell certain individuals they cannot walk under it. And then there is changeability. Some voters may be hardline PAP or opposition, but there are floating voters out there. As for the suggestions that some individuals have been denied planing permissions, or loans, etc., etc., simply because of how they voted… the sheer mechanics of creating that kind of conspiracy against individual members of the populace make that an incredible flight of fancy.
So, whoever you vote for, vote without fear… and vote for who YOU believe in!
April 29th, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I’m very skeptical of that statement. I have a someone I know who is a PAP volunteer…this person volunteers at “Meet the MP” sessions occasionally. She herself has confessed that PAP does know who u voted for coz when people come to meet the MP for assistance…the volunteers check the system to see who he or she had voted for. They take down ur concerns in writing as per normal…tell u they’ll send u a letter from the MP to help u in whatever u need assistance in….but as soon as u walk out of the door….the crush the paper n throw it away. I thot maybe it could not be true. But then another person also told me the same thing who is from a totally different set of people I know. How could it be that 2 separate groups of people talking about the same thing? My wife had experienced the same thing. She had went to the MP for help for a job. She was told that they’ll send her a letter from the MP…..that was almost 2 yrs ago…the letter never came. My wife had voted for the Opposition.
I brought my mother n father-in-laws to meet the MP session also…I assumed both had voted for PAP as my father-in-law was a ardent PAP supporter. At the RC center a volunteer took their ICs n checked something in their system then we were attended by the volunteer…a Chinese man…there was another Indian man standing behind this volunteer….both of them behind their counter. The Chinese volunteer…named “Junior” started to show that he was not too happy with us being there….he grew increasingly impatient with us. We were there to ask that the MP help my In-Laws get the CPF Additional Housing Grant…but we were ridiculed by him n the Indian man saying that there was no such thing as Additional Housing Grant! Junior started being very rude with us so I told him off. He told me to complain to the MP if I dare…he challenged me to complain to the MP. I left the place wondering…y? What caused them to react like this? That was also about 2yrs ago. I was just talking to my wife yesterday about the 2011 elections n she just mentioned that my mother-in-law always voted for the opposition. So then finally I realized y the PAP volunteer reacted the way he did 2 yrs ago. But all that said n done Gerald….Me n my family r never one’s to fear the knock on our door at midnite. We will vote with our heart n mind. We will vote for the check n balance as we have always done. Cheers!
April 29th, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Replying to
misrt Says: “April 29th, 2011 at 3:08 AM
rather b safe, just vote foR PAP and stay relaxed, nvm Singapore will still accelerate .
Y b stupid voting for opposition and stay in fear”
Really unsure of your purpose or your agenda for this comment or if you truly believe what you say.
Our vote is the only real power and this is guaranteed by the constitution. Even the PAP will tell you that your vote IS secret.
If everyone is to vote just to stay safe and “save your ass” than Singapore will NEVER progress! We will only perpetuate the status quo and any party in such a situation will fall into a sense of complacency and believe that they have become “almighty” and forgot the real purpose of their political office, which is to serve the people. In fact, do you not see this happening already?
The PAP has been lulled into complacency and a “false reality” because of the way the PAP is run. The PAP has many “smart” people in it but does that make any difference? The answer is NO because they have all been silenced by the Party Whip! No point crying after the fact, when decisions are made or more like, decisions are swept through. And who do you think are making all the decisions? Are decisions made by all members of PAP? Is there true consensus or are PAP members merely playing the politicking to further each selfish interests? If all the team members in an organisation are only thinking of policies and decisions that will PLEASE the LEADER, then are these policies designed for the PEOPLE?
Also, the PAP is surrounded by yes men and women who do not dare to be different and speak the truth! They would only say what the leaders want to hear. Look at the mass media and the PAP slant. Do you notice the numerous news that things are improving and the economy is “doing well”, Very convenient timing indeed. So the almight leaders are in a false reality, thinking that everything is well and peaceful. Do you think anyone feedback to the PAP LEADERs that the overcrowding situation in MRTs has become unacceptable?! If this feedback was given and the PAP leaders really listened, i believe they wont be in the hot soup that they are in now.
Therefore, what is realy important is for each and every citizen to exercise your vote with your conscience, for what you truly believe in. If you believe that the PAP can STILL do a good job for you, then vote PAP BUT if you believe that there is a need for greater accountability, then vote for the party that you believe would make this happen because as the PAP in my view can no longer do the job no matter what talent they bring in because their whole organisation has become “diseased”. I wont trust the future of Singapore to an organisation that has fallen into Group Think and is in their own false reality.
Wake up Singaporeans. Your vote is secret. Vote with Your Conscience. Vote for what you truly believe in. For the good of our future. Your vote is the only time that you are truly heard. Do not worry if you are a civil servant, TLC employee or even if you work in the PM office (such as our election officials), if you dare to do what is right and righteous, who can pin you down?! Spread the word around to all who may still think that our votes can be tracked and we will face repurcussions. This is false. Also, speak to all who think that the middle ground is to cast a spolit vote. This is also a defeatist attitude. A spolit vote is not considered a valid vote and not counted to determine the percentage win. Therefore, casting a spoilt vote is basically helping the incumbent.
Stand up Singaporeans and be counted. Our opposition candidates have shown great mettle and conviction. Look at Nicole Seah. Maturity is never a factor of age. Her maturity, conviction and courage put many Singaporeans to shame. If she has the courage to stand up and voice our the true feelings of Singaporeans about the PAP using OUR money to further their own selfish interests, what are we to fear how we vote?!
Vote for a better Singapore at this GE. The whole political system needs to be transformed to bring Singapore to the next level where Singaporeans truly matter and where the democratic process is truly fair and where there is accountability not just in Parliament but for the decisions made by our investments companies.
Vote with your conscience. Vote for a better Singapore where the government is truly accountable to the people. Together, we can truly make a difference at this GE.
April 29th, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Replying Roy Lee :
I salute you and your family for being bold. In fact, there is nothing to fear.
I suggest that you do not spread hearsay that even you do not believe in. Spreading unconfirmed rumours will only cause the meek to be more fearful. True leaders DO NOT lead by fear BUT by a great vision, by truth and by fairness.
Even IF what you say is true, do we allow oourselves to be cowed into subservience? Are politicians elected to serve their own interests? If so, we are really no different from the other corrupt countries in the world. Social injustices should be righted. We are the voice. The “younger” generation has better education and We should be more rationale in our analysis and thought processes. Therefore, it is our duty to dispel such myths, because such myths will return the PAP to power when the true support on the ground is weak.
Therefore, i implore all Singaporeans eligible to vote. I implore you to vote with your conscience. Vote for the party that you TRULY believe in, be it the PAP, WP, SDP, NSP, SPP. In fact, i have signed up as a polling agent with WP. What is there to fear. I want to be there to witness that the polling process is conducted fairly!
There are not many 5 years for you to vote. Even if you were eligible to vote in the past, your consituency might have had a walk over. So where is your say? So are you going to give up YOUR precious vote at this GE by voting by “default”? Please consider carefully as your decision will affect your lives, the lives of your children and our joint future. We are all in the same boat or car(if you prefer). Dont worry that the opposition parties wont be able to do a good job because the status quo has become so unacceptable that good people, including top civil servants, are ready to step up and contribute to our nation.
Vote with your conscience on 7 May 11. Vote with courage. Spread the word that your vote is indeed secret. Dispel such fears and myths. Let this election really show the support for each party! Together, we can truly make a difference for a better future for all Singaporeans! Majulah Singapura!
April 29th, 2011 at 11:18 AM
THE VOTE COUNTER CAN STILL SEE YOUR NAME. if you are prominent (say jack neo), they will instantly recognise who you are and know who you vote for. where got secret if like that?
April 29th, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Reply to makmak:
Dear makmak, like you, when i first voted in 2006, i was conscious of the serial number on the voting slip and the name on the elector register against the serial number. But let me assure you:
a) the serial number on the voting slip is important to prevent voting fraud.
If there are no serial numbers and i know the design of the voting slip, i could technically print multiple voting slips and slot them into the ballot boxes. Then there will be no distinction on which is a genuine voting slip.
The elector’s register with reference to the voter’s name and serial number of his voting slip is important as a preventive measure and check if ever there is a need to investigate the votes cast when fraud is suspected. Doing this will require a court order and all political parties are present to conduct the investigation. So this is merely a preventive measure and not used to check how each voter voted.
b) no one will know how you vote even if they know who you are because your are voting in private unless you choose to show the world how you voted. In fact, if you were to write or sign your name on the voting slip, the voting slip will be considered invalid because it is “identified”. This is clearly stated in the Elections Department’s website. (http://www.elections.gov.sg/voters_dosdonts.html)
Dear fellow Singaporeans, Stop being bound by fear. Think rationally. Gerald Giam has provided very clear steps of the vote casting, counting, storage and destruction process. Your vote is secret. This is the foundation of any democratic process. I have even volunteered myself already as a polling agent to observe the voting process to ensure it is unbiased at the GE. Do the same if you are indeed fearful. Dont cast your votes out of fear any more. Doing so will be an injustice to our country, our fellow citizens and our opposition candidates who bravely stood up to be a voice for us.
Let your vote count this GE. (You may not have a chance at the next GE when the millions of foreigners receive their red passports!). Vote with your conscience. Vote with courage. Vote for real accountability in Parliament. Accountability for the policies made by the PAP. Accountability for the funds invested by Temasek and the GIC. Accountability for the reserves of our nation, our monies. Vote for a better Singapore and future for ourselves and our children. Only together and without fear, that we can truly make a difference. Majulah Singapura!
April 29th, 2011 at 12:04 PM
ok about the serial number… but can anyone explain why the person who gave the ballot paper write down another set of number? Still clueless…
April 29th, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Of course, wrt to pt 4. “Immediately after counting, the votes, together with all the relevant records, the stubs of the ballot papers and any unused ballot papers are sealed in the boxes (again with tamper-proof seals) and transported to the Supreme Court vault for storage.”
We
1. know the courts are not independent of the govt
2. won’t know if the boxes were really not tampered with (during the 6mths in the vaults) and
3. are aware they are the ones in possession of the ‘tamper-proof’-seals…
4. are very curious as to how the PAP decides on how to redraw the electorial boundaries (if there was a need at all in a fair and free election)?
April 29th, 2011 at 12:22 PM
I believe that during the counting process, those slips that has double cross would have fished out and from the serial number, it reference to the actual voter. Hence it could be why these voters get a letter on the above.
Let’s get our votes in with VALID.
April 29th, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Reply to mark:
Glad you raised these questioned. The ballot boxes are sealed with tamper proof seals (that tear when your try to remove it). Representatives from each party sign on the seal as further evidence that the original seals are intact before the ballot boxes are destroyed. And the respective representatives do inspect the ballot boxes before destruction to ensure that the boxes had not been tampered with.
As to how the PAP unfairly redraw boundary lines and how they comment that there were more Malay supporters at Aljunied at the last election is this. Each constituency is divided into smaller voting districts that vote at a pre-determined polling stations. Therefore, each polling station serves a specific number of blocks. The voting outcome for these voting districts can be known, ie whether this district supported which party more. But remember no body knows how each individual voted but only the outcome for the district is know. And therefore, based on the population profile of the district, politicians can conclude that there are more of a certain group of supporters for example if the demographic or racial profile for the district is prominent. And it is also due to this knowledge that the PAP unfairly removed about 29,000 voters from Aljunied GRC and dispersed them to the nearby constituencies, such as AMK.
Do we want to allow such unfair election tactics to continue? Including denying the opposition to contest merely because the form was submitted 35 seconds late? This is a mockery to our election process. Another mockery of the process is whose rule is it that all forms must be submitted within a hour. The elections office took so long to set up and they “open” only for one hour? What logic is this?!
Let’s arise and make our votes count this election. Dont vote by default or out of fear. Be convinced by asking all questions you may have. Also, spread the word around to all you know because i feel that this unfounded fear is pervasive, especially amongst the older generation (not refering to you Mark :), of course i dont know your age. :))
April 29th, 2011 at 1:11 PM
just curious, even in the election voting video.. you see them write down another number below the serial number for your ballot paper. If the serial number is already in running numbers, why need to write down another set of numbers?
April 29th, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Any assurance that all ballot boxes are empty when votes started to cast? During transportation to counting centre, anyone follow the trucks and how temper proof is it. Curious…
April 29th, 2011 at 1:47 PM
During my time information is limited and we have to depend on newspaper, radio or rumors to make decision before we vote .
Now with google,youtube and all these modern technology i am
very supprised that younger generation are still being misled
by rumors .
I and my older generation friends and relative were misled by rumors that voting is not secret and we voted PAP again and again . What happened ?
April 29th, 2011 at 3:20 PM
I had voted for the Opposition in the 2001 n 2006 elections….I’m still around people. WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RITE TO CHANGE OUR OWN FUTURE BCOZ NO ONE ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!
April 29th, 2011 at 4:13 PM
Am a young adult myself and working in the civil service. I am going to put my words into actions on 7th May. I hope my fellow friends in the same working sector can seriously vote without fear. What is life when you have to live and vote in fear? Stand up for what you believe in please :)
April 29th, 2011 at 5:04 PM
please ignore
April 29th, 2011 at 6:28 PM
I don’t really care if my vote is not secret and I will always support the Worker’s Party. However, after coming across this blog and reading through the comments, my curiosity has been piqued. I must admit I did think our votes are not secret as my mom received a Thank You note from the PAP after the last election when the rest of us in the household did not. She was the only one who voted for the PAP. Could someone explain that?
April 29th, 2011 at 8:06 PM
is there anyone overlooking the transport process. there can be chances that the temper prove boxes be swapped
April 29th, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Misinformed,
WAH your mom so special ah? i voted for PAP last elec but why didnt i receive any THANK YOU letter from the PAP? why nobody else whom i also know voted for them mention about it?
even if it was true, PAP themself had been telling that voting is secret. then why would they give you a THANK YOU letter to slap on their faces?
April 29th, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Terry,
I don’t know why she’s so special but that’s what she told me. That’s why she thinks it’s pure bullshit that our votes are secret.
And of course I agree and wonder why PAP would be so stupid as to send letters of thanks when it would just implicate them. That’s why I’m so confused.
Personally, I don’t care if they know I didn’t vote for them and will never!
April 29th, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Reply Dusty’s query, “dusty Says:
April 29th, 2011 at 1:11 PM
just curious, even in the election voting video.. you see them write down another number below the serial number for your ballot paper. If the serial number is already in running numbers, why need to write down another set of numbers”
An elaboration of the process as you step into the polling station.
Your polling card will state your constituency and the polling station you must go to cast your vote.
When you arrive, you need to produce your NRIC and the polling card you had received through the mail. An official will check against a master record that shows your poll card no and your NRIC details to ensure that you ar entitled to vote.
You will then move on to the next official who will pass you the polling slip (ie the voting slip). This voting slip is from a “receipt book”. The voting slip is serially number and that official will record your poll card number on the counterfoil of the voting slip as a cross reference of your poll card number and the voting slip number because the two serial numbers are different. Therefore, this process creates a reference between your poll card number (ie identifies you) and your voting slip serial number.
Again, please DO NOT be alarmed to think that this means that your vote is not secret. This process is important to ensure accountability of the votes cast if ever there is a need to perform an investigation. This process will also prevent voting fraud. Imagine if voting slips have no serial numbers. There will be no way to know a genuine from a fraudulent voting slip.
Therefore, my fellow Singaporeans, if you still have any doubts, pls speak up and ask and have all your doubts clarified.
This is important as you should vote with your conscience and vote for the party that you truly believe in rather than to vote out of fear.
This is an important milestone in Singapore’s history. Pls vote wisely. Pls vote for the greater good of Singapore. For Singapore’s future. For accountability in Parliament. Together, we can make a difference! Majulah Singapura.
April 30th, 2011 at 5:17 AM
Fear breeds fear. If you fear about voting for opposition today, you would need to fear for heaps of ‘fallen talents’ pressing down your wages, price hikes and inability to pay for the ridiculous flat’s prices tomorrow.
I personally think, PAP has no resource to trace votes in any manner, let alone bother to. Especially in Civil Service, think of it – a small fry won’t threatened their authoritarian management of ministries, so why care who these people support. The top office holders are all their scholars who are hand-picked and scrutinized through interviews. So what is the point to spend resources on tracing votes? If they do, how do they ensure that tracing itself will be a secret forever? If it is leaked, foreign investors is going to lambast their reputation, something they will die for.
They cannot and don’t bother to trace your votes. However, you would need to trace your conscience when one day they completely lord over us and you have voted for them today out of fear.
April 30th, 2011 at 2:58 PM
There is also a new breed of people like me who don’t give a damn who knows who i vote for. Even if the vote is not secret why should it stop you for voting for who you want?
May 1st, 2011 at 12:45 AM
If you say serial number is for security why not just issue the slip with serial number without writing down the number next to the voter IC.
Since every voter have been allocated their designated voting station. there isn’t a need to serialize the voting slip of the voter. They can just issue a balloting slip like a movie entrance ticket after you enter the ticket is being collected half it. Strictly No entrance for spoil/tamper.
Don’t tell me that the slip wont be tally after everything. There is 100 and 1 possibility after everything have ended and “lock up in the vault” unless u are telling me that the vault is having multiple lock that require all to be present before it can be open maybe then i will choose to believe.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:55 AM
I’m not the new breed but I also don’t give a hoot if the vote is not secret as I’ve been exercising my rights to have an alternative voice in parliament for the past 2 decades at least. Can’t say the same for my family members as they too fear like many Singaporeans. This fear speaks volume if the people fears the government? Something is really wrong with the government then or its people???
May 1st, 2011 at 3:02 AM
Urgent appeal to fellow Singaporean voters,
Many of you must be excited over this GE where a record 82 out of 87 seats are being contested. (It may also be the first time that you get to vote because of previous walkovers.) Many of you have also been to the rallies and heard the issues and the agenda of the opposition parties. Many of you are also convinced by the rational arguments put forth by the opposition parties. Many of you are probably also ready to vote for the opposition parties in your constituency.
But are you sure that the opposition will win at this GE when the PAP has the unfair advantage of “extra help” from the mass media, from the grass root organizations, from the unions, from a culture of fear, and from giving out growth dividends at this opportune time (not forgetting where the money for the growth dividends come from). With these unfair advantages and the 3Ks attitude (Kiasu, Kiasi and Kiaboh) of most Singaporeans, are you still sure that the opposition parties will win at this GE despite your own conviction?
Therefore, I appeal to you in 2 areas:
1) We have only a few more days to the GE and to the cooling period on 6 May 11 when the “party propaganda machine” will go into overdrive to “brainwash” the electorate and to create fear in voting opposition into Parliament. Within these critical few days, I sincerely implore you, if you sincerely believe in the opposition cause, to speak up. To speak to your families, your friends, your colleagues, your neighbours, your classmates, and everyone that you know, so that they can also be aware of the issues and the high stake at hand. Implore them to do the same, to also speak to everyone that they know so that word will get around. Other than the social media on the internet, we need to activate the social network on the ground. You will be surprised that your friends and the people you know are unaware of the issues like you or are still living in fear that their vote is not secret. We need to turn the tide. We need to counter the mainstream media influence through our personal influence. A freak election result will be one that runs counter to the general feeling on the ground. Aljunied GRC lost by 6% at the 2006 election despite strong turnouts at WP rallies. What happened? Do we want a repeat of history? Can we afford a repeat of history? WP has featured a strong team for Aljunied GRC but that still does not guarantee their seats in Parliament unless we, the people, act on our beliefs. We need to personally speak up. Spread the word. If WP or the opposition parties do not win sufficient seats at this Parliament, we risk losing Aljunied GRC or other GRCs as a constituency at the next GE as these GRCs may be dissolved and merged with other constituencies. A loss for the opposition at this GE will also dampen the spirit of our noble opposition candidates who have stood up so fearlessly to speak on the people’s behalf.
2) My second appeal to you if you are truly convicted of the opposition cause is to volunteer your time at this GE as a polling or counting agent. This task is basically to act as an observer to ensure that the electoral process is carried out fairly. Because of the large number of seats contested at this GE, there are not sufficient volunteers. Therefore, I implore you to offer yourself to be a volunteer. You can sign up with the respective opposition parties at their websites. There is not much time left. Please do not hesitate and do not fear.
Personally, I have volunteered as a polling agent already and I have made it a personal commitment to spread the word to everyone I know (and sometimes even strangers) and also, to request that those who are convinced of the rational arguments to do the same. The multiplier effect of this social network cannot be underestimated. We cannot presume that the opposition parties will win. Let’s give them all the support that we personally can. It is only a few more days to the GE. Each and every small effort will truly make a difference. I have no personal agenda other than to have accountability in Parliament and for there to be real debate over important issues affecting the lives of Singaporeans. Only through these that we can build a better Singapore for Singaporeans. Please spread this around so that as many as possible can act.
Together, we can truly make a difference. Majulah Singapura. Son of Singapore – Loh Chee Meng
May 1st, 2011 at 3:34 AM
I seriously do not understand the need to scrutinized the election procedure or how the system may be flawed and we will be traced or whatever…. All I know is if it is in the plan to trace you, we will be traced. No method or flawed discussed above will give a trace on how it is done. There can even be ways to know immediately where you crossed on your paper the immediately from today’s technology. I hope I will not be mis understood as spreading fear. What I am thinking is: if you do not even has the guts to expressed what you like or don’t like, whether be it openly or secretly, you are not living at all.
I did not read thru all of the above posted and only some catch my eyes. But if I were to be caught in the situation where I am pin pointed and deprived of some help from the MP I voted against, I will make sure all my descendant and offspring will vote against this MP forever
Similarly If I were to hear such story and get proof of it’s occurrence, I will think of how to remove this kind of sick system then succumb to it and complain silently at the back end.
Finally I also doubt the possibility of tracing the opposition voters and doing things to “warn” them. Such oppositions strength do not appear singlely but at least in the hundreds?? It will be literally impossible to “warn” these people through a single action or policies without people knowing it. Once people know about this, It will only incurr more opposition voice. Which will threaten elections in future.
For me I am more simple. Viewers here may think I am irresponsible voters because I had not attend a single rally or find out what are the policies each party will implement once they are nominated. To me, at this stage, that is “all mouth action” only.
But I only think simply in that:
No change in ways to do it, no change to person doing it, the end result will still be it.
Hence r u happy with “it” ????
May 1st, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Your vote is secret. I’m 100.00000% sure. Even if this is not a secret, so what? Really, so what? If PAP wins 50.1% or 100% in a SMC or GRC, PAP wins. Period. If it tries to deal with the non-supporters, the action is undemocratic, will certainly backfires and the next election outcome will certainly be worse for them. In fact I can only think of the positive. If PAP knows you didn’t vote for them, maybe you will be given more goodies to entice you to vote for them.
What makes sense is getting the data from the 700+ ballot boxes, which allow sectoral analysis and subsequent unfair practice by the ruling party to cut out boundaries.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:34 PM
From the audit point and given the paper trail, it is not impossible to do the tracing. However, it would be onerous and impossible to keep it a secret unless the person doing the tracing is buried alive or bribed to keep his mouth shout!
Fear coupled with ignorance has always held people to ransom. How many people really are brainy and brave? Even highly educated ones want to play safe. Civil servants are not servants of the ruling party. They are servants of Singaporeans. Problem is, their pay comes from the government, and so they become beholden to the ruling party in government. See why soldiers and civil servants in Myanmar are beholden to the ruling junta?
If your vote is not secret, the cat would had been let out of the bag already. Somewhere, sometime, someone involved in breaking the secret would squeal because either his conscience will send him to hell or he becomes disaffected after seeing how he was underpaid and badly made used of while the people he had helped have gone to make profitable gains!
My point is: use your brain, don’t just listen, investigate, talk, ask, discuss, analyse and be courageous.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:42 PM
This GE is over; the PAP is THE government. Let a few Opposition members in because they will not make any dent except noises. So what if they are not proven or capable. This is just hearsay, and I know when people are given the chance, they can rise to the occasion!
I don’t like a House with only one singer. Remember, MPs of ruling party must play the same song, and they are basically CD-players because the CD has already been burned by the party.
It is better to hear a different song, a different voice, a different tune, even if one doesn’t agree or like. We all have limited sight and by looking at another viewpoint, we may gain further insight.
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:31 PM
The 6 months in subodinate court is the best time for the PAP to who voted against them.
I have friends who never get their parking summons appealed successfully, who never get their balloting of hdb flat successfully, who never get the help from PAP when they approached them in the ‘meet the people’ session… all because they voted against the PAP…
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 PM
hey, i’m just wondering. how exactly is the process of counting the votes go about?
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 PM
singapore politician is the highest paid in the world because
they are comparing to the private corprate .I think this is wrong,if people are willing to step into politics , they must
prepared to sacrifice fo the citizens. Why they don’t compare to other countries politicians
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:09 AM
Replying Andy:
Andy Says:
“May 2nd, 2011 at 2:31 PM
The 6 months in subodinate court is the best time for the PAP to who voted against them.
I have friends who never get their parking summons appealed successfully, who never get their balloting of hdb flat successfully, who never get the help from PAP when they approached them in the ‘meet the people’ session… all because they voted against the PAP…”
Reply: The ballot boxes are sealed with tamper proof seals and the officials from all parties present sign on the seal. The sealed and signed boxes are then stored in the supreme court vault for 6 months. If there are complaints of voting irregularity, a court order must be made before the boxes can be removed for checking. If there were no complaints, the boxes are inspected again 6 months later. The same officials check that the seals are original to ensure that the boxes had not been tampered with before the boxes are incinerated.
Therefore, there is no way that anyone could check the votes without this being detected. And I also assure you, the PAP will never do this as the risk of voting fraud being discovered will destroy all the credibility PAP has built all these years and they will be thrown out for sure.
Therefore, let me assure you, the voting process is secure and your vote is secret if you don’t tell anyone how you voted.
As for the friends you mentioned, i can similarly quote examples of friends who voted opposition and got their parking summons waived and other forms of help from the government. Basically, my point is that what you are saying has no relationship to how you have voted. IF your friends insist that they have been discriminated against because of how they voted, i encourage them to make a police report as they are implying that the voting process is fraudulent.
If you agree with me, i suggest that you do not go around spreading information that has not been verified unless you have some other ulterior motives. The unfounded fear over voting secrecy has imprisoned Singaporeans for too long. Many Singaporeans had voted by “default”, particularly our civil servants, TLC, GLC employees. Let me personally assure you that voting is secret. As Dr Vivian Wijeysingha said at the SDP rally on 2 May 11, switched on the light and you will realise that these fears are unfounded. Let the truth and facts set you free.
The stakes are very high for this GE and the fear of voting is one major obstacle that Singaporeans need to overcome. I implore all Singaporean voters to vote with your conscience and with courage. Vote for the party that you TRULY believe in and not out of fear. If you still fear, pls speak up and ask so that your fears can be demolished by the truth. Vote wisely Singaporeans. This GE is critical. Let’s stand united to make Singapore a better place for Singaporeans.
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Replying Iylia:
Iylia Says:
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 PM
hey, i’m just wondering. how exactly is the process of counting the votes go about?
1. Counting should start only after RO / ARO confirms that all the ballot boxes designated to be counted at that Counting Place have been delivered to him.
2. Only RO / ARO / their assistants and clerks / candidates / counting agents can be present at the counting.
3. RO / ARO are to ensure all ballot boxes open and votes mixed together.
4. During counting, votes should be put face up, so that the numbers behind are not seen.
5. Any invalid votes must be endorsed as `Rejected’. Ground for rejecting votes include ballots where the voters’ intention is uncertain, where the vote is blank or where voter has written something by which he can be identified. Before rejecting any vote, RO / ARO will show candidate / counting agent and ask for views, but his decision is final.
6. Votes should be stacked separately according to which candidate the voters support. After completion, each packet shall be sealed separately with candidates’ names marked thereon.
7. RO/ ARO are to certify the results of poll at their Counting Places, and announce to candidates / counting agents at each Counting Place. If there is more than 1 Counting Place in any electoral division, the ARO should send results to the Principal Counting Place to be added up at constituency level.
Appeal: Therefore, from the above, the counting agents are basically volunteers from the political parties to be present at the count to ensure that the procedures are properly followed. As many seats are contested at this GE, there are not enough volunteers to be polling agent (observer during voting process) and counting agent (observer during counting process).
Therefore, i urge you to volunteer with the opposition parties as a polling and/or counting agent. This act fast as we are running out of time. (Btw, i hv volunteered to be both polling and counting agent already.)
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Reply Victor:
VIctor Says:
May 1st, 2011 at 12:45 AM
If you say serial number is for security why not just issue the slip with serial number without writing down the number next to the voter IC.
Since every voter have been allocated their designated voting station. there isn’t a need to serialize the voting slip of the voter. They can just issue a balloting slip like a movie entrance ticket after you enter the ticket is being collected half it. Strictly No entrance for spoil/tamper.
Don’t tell me that the slip wont be tally after everything. There is 100 and 1 possibility after everything have ended and “lock up in the vault” unless u are telling me that the vault is having multiple lock that require all to be present before it can be open maybe then i will choose to believe.
Reply:
As the voting slip is issued from a “receipt book” of voting slips, there is a need to record the serial number of the poll card onto the receipt copy of the voting slip. Imagine if this control is absent and I am the election official with the voting slip booklets, who is to know if I slipped in “unissued” voting slips into the ballot boxes. Therefore, this control is actually more to protect the opposition, if you understand what I mean.
Therefore, pls be assured, your votes are secret. I implore you to vote with your conscience and with courage and not out of fear. We have lived in fear for too long. If we continue to live in fear, you will succumb to the PAP message of fear transmitted relentlessly through the mainstream media. As one person said above, living life in fear is not living life at all. Furthermore, the fear of voting is a totally unfounded fear. Please spread the word around to all your know and ask that they do the same. Tell everyone that voting is secret and pls vote wisely. This is a very critical GE. Let’s be united in one voice. Vote for accountability in Parliament and real debate over issues affecting the lives of Singaporeans. We need at least one third opposition to block any future changes to the constitution, such as the GRC and electoral boundary changes, for a party’s own advantage.
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Reply Wilson
Wilson Says:
April 29th, 2011 at 8:06 PM
is there anyone overlooking the transport process. there can be chances that the temper prove boxes be swapped
Reply:
The boxes are sealed with tamper proof seals and signed so any tampering during transportation would be detected.
May 3rd, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Hi all,
If the government really want to track, they can really do it.
They already have the serial number stored in a database (you go to http://www.elections.gov.sg -> eServices –> Login with Singpass, you will find your serial number in there. Therefore to link a serial number back to the person who vote is very easy as it is all computerised. Your balloting slip (with the serial number scribbled on it) will also be on one of the polling boxes. Let us assume that you live in Blk 2 Tampines and Polling Box A1 is for Block 1 to Block 5. If the government want to check who you vote for, they can zoom down to Box A1 and do the check.
But I would not think the reigning party would want to do this(trace the vote) because if found out, it is the party integrity and reputation at stake.
My question is, assuming someone really smuggle in additional counterfeit ballationg slips and let’s say the counterfeit is so real that nobody can tell the difference. To tally against the number of votes, the only way will be to write down the serial number of the ballating slip and then check if there is any duplicate of the serial number. This means that you will know who vote for who. However, this is a hypothetical event which chances/probability of happening is quite remote.
Sam Ang
May 5th, 2011 at 8:42 AM
[...] http://geraldgiam.sg/2010/09/your-vote-is-secret/ [...]
May 7th, 2011 at 1:05 AM
In reply to Misinformed: Have you seen the thank you slip for yourself? How are you sure that your mum voted for PAP? Or is she just trying to further convince you to vote for WP? Or that you’re just making this whole thing up? If you think that a party with all those security measures like PAP cannot be trusted, what makes you able to be trusted too? Therefore, your point is invalid.
May 7th, 2011 at 6:09 PM
is it possible for the ballot paper serial number to be a piece of sticker? Anyone can remove the serial number after voting. the officer there could ensure the vote is place in the box and the whole system still ensure no fraud can happen. when voting paper has no serial number, it is almost impossible to trace the voter even if anyone allows it…
August 12th, 2011 at 11:30 AM
I tried Delicious but is it necessary to sign up initial?
September 25th, 2011 at 12:53 AM
I would be interested in more content like this from you. I think a lot like you on this subject and your perspective is interesting. Will there be more soon?