'Two choices' for General Election timing, says Singapore PM Lee
There are two choices when it comes to the timing of the General Election, the country’s Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday. Federal election is due next year.
“When to hold elections? That depends on the situation, and the outlook,” Mr Lee said in a Facebook post after holding a dialogue with his pary leaders on COVID-19.
“Singapore faces grave and extended challenges,” he said, noting the pandemic will “likely last at least this year, and quite possibly longer”.
As of Friday, Singapore has a total of 200 recorded COVID-19 cases, with 97 patients discharged after recovering.
The country is seeing more imported cases of the coronavirus as the disease spreads globally.
The next election, which has to take place by Apr 21 next year, can only be called after the electoral registers are updated, Mr Lee added. "This will take about a month," he said.
Shortly after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on Friday, the Elections Department said the registers of electors from Mar 14 to Mar 27.
Given the current situation, Mr Lee said Singapore has two choices – to hold elections after things stabilise or to call elections early.
“We have two choices. Either hope and pray that things will stabilize before the end of the term so that we can hold elections under more normal circumstances – but we have no certainty of that,” he wrote.
“Or else call elections early, knowing that we are going into a hurricane, to elect a new government with a fresh mandate and a full term ahead of it, which can work with Singaporeans on the critical tasks at hand.”
He said precautions will be taken if elections are to be held before the COVID-19 situation is over.
"If we have to hold elections before COVID-19 is over, we will take all the precautions necessary, so that parties can campaign effectively, and people can vote safely. At stake are jobs, businesses and lives," he wrote.
“Which way to go, and the elections date, will depend on what will best see Singapore through this major crisis.”
Before Mr Lee made the announcement, the opposition party Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan had said.
Ruling People's Action Part cannot be more irresponsible to do something like this when we should be focusing our state resources, that the minds of Singaporeans at least on overcoming, conquering this virus," Dr Chee had said.