On 23 June 2020, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called General Election 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was grounded in the reasoning that the pandemic was still within control, and it would "clear the decks" and give the new government a fresh five-year mandate.
Despite calls to delay the election made in fear of exacerbating the current public health crisis, Polling Day was announced to be on 10 July 2020.
But elections can be safely held even amidst a pandemic outbreak — South Korea is a successful example. To minimise public health risks, the government imposed extensive safety measures, including social distancing, temperature screening, and the use of disposable gloves and hand sanitisers.
Singapore is equally capable of holding a safe election. On Polling Day, similar safety measures will be implemented. Voters are additionally encouraged to bring their own pen.
Other than health concerns, there is also the issue of fairness. Holding the election at such a period warrants new measures be implemented to ensure that it would be fair for all political parties who might not be able to campaign effectively due to the situation. The Electoral Department Singapore (ELD) has since announced that all political candidates will be given airtime on national television in a constituency broadcast to replace physical rallies.
During crises like this, citizens may also be more likely to feel the importance of voicing their opinion through voting, which was probably why South Korea reported the highest voter turnout rate in 20 years.
Could we expect the same in Singapore?
People often favour a safe and proven government
In times of crisis, there might be a flight to safety to a proven government. This might mean that the opposition parties will be at a disadvantage simply because of the current time in which the election will be held.
In South Korea, the ruling party won the election by a landslide as the government's effective handling of the pandemic won over the people's trust. Similarly, the PAP's management of the crisis could play a part in earning the goodwill of the people.
Under its leadership, Singapore's case detection and contact tracing of the coronavirus was hailed as the "gold standard" by a Harvard study, and despite the surge in numbers due to cases from the foreign worker dormitories, the government has kept the crisis under control. As of 2 July 2020, there have been 26 deaths out of more than 44,000 people infected.
The high recovery and extensive testing rates reflect the effectiveness of the stringent regulations to curb the spread. The government has also released a slew of budgets and grants totalling S$93 billion to help people and businesses stay afloat economically.
Opposition parties might have to work twice as hard to prove that they are equally capable, if not more, than the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) to lead the people through this and future crises.
Problems with overseas voters
Another problem is the logistical constraints faced by overseas voters. With travel restrictions due to the pandemic and the short notice of GE2020, some overseas voters are struggling to return to Singapore to vote, especially as travel bans continue to limit flights.
While overseas polling stations will be set up, there will only be 10 across the globe. Overseas voting is also subject to the approval of the authorities in the countries concerned due to the pandemic. For returning Singaporeans, they will have to serve a compulsory two-week Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Appeals have been made for mail-in ballots or alternatives for overseas Singaporeans, but the ELD has ruled out mail-in and online voting for this election, citing that these methods are not secure.
Given the hassle of the current situation, some overseas Singaporeans would choose not to vote altogether — at least being overseas is a valid excuse from voting.
Opposition parties depend on mass rallies and events
To reduce crowds and prevent possible transmission of COVID-19, the ELD has banned physical rallies and events. This move disproportionately puts the opposition parties at a disadvantage because they typically rely on physical rallies and mass events to garner support.
In a report with VICE, Associate Professor Kenneth Paul Tan, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said that "Opposition parties have traditionally commanded greater participation and excitement during their live rallies, in contrast with the rather limp rallies that the PAP has been able to muster."
This election, opposition parties will not be able to depend on "viscerally powerful and embodied expressions of support" from mass rallies. Hence, it is possible that their outreach to the older generations — who have always loved attending the rallies in person — could be limited.
New campaigning methods
With COVID-related restrictions still in place, how political parties campaign will be significantly affected. No mass events and rallies will be allowed, neither are door-to-door visits. While vehicles with loudspeakers to broadcast recorded messages can be used, parties cannot speak, live-stream or broadcast music or videos from the vehicle.
New, creative ways to garner support this election had to be found — and fast because of the short campaigning period. Fortunately, parties have adapted quite quickly with the use of technology.
Taking this opportunity to increase their online presence on social media and digitalise their campaigns, they are utilising e-rallies, professionally-made campaign videos, and live forums with candidates to introduce their candidates, reinforce their party message, and get voters' attention.
For example, the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) has started their live series, "Straight Talk with PAP", addressing various social issues and concerns in Singapore, while Paul Tambyah and Alfred Tan from Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) have already held a QnA session over Reddit.
The Worker's Party (WP) has also presented an impressive online presence this year, starting with a teaser video that became a hit on social media and a professionally-made campaign video that has been well-received. WP also released the "Hammer Show" on Facebook, a series of panel discussions on the role of WP in Singapore politics, and individual promotional videos portraying a different aspect of the candidates.
Mainstream media is also a channel parties are using, with airtime on national radio and television for constituency political broadcasts and political debates.
A silver lining for the opposition parties
Instead of being a bane, the new campaigning methods might provide an advantage for the opposition parties.
According to Prof Tan, opposition candidates with "impressive credentials and charisma" could "reach a wider audience". "Party messages and images can be better managed and finessed, and they can be more widely circulated," he said. Jamus Lim's eloquent and sharp answers, along with his calm and friendly demeanor, won the hearts of many Singaporeans after the GE2020 live debate.
Online campaigning will also help parties to reach first-time voters — who are aged 21-26, an age group that typically relies on social media and other online sources for news and information. Parties with good online presence and campaigning would likely have a higher success rate in garnering support from this demographic.
Furthermore, the lockdown has also helped Singaporeans get more accustomed to online alternatives such as online events and sourcing for information from the Internet.
Despite the current circumstances working against them, the opposition parties have been adapting well, and some will be able to put up a good fight against the ruling party.
No outcome guaranteed
This is a crisis election which can "change the course of history" said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the Secretary-General of PAP, during a press conference on Nomination Day.
"The PAP expects a tough fight this election," Mr Lee said. The opposition parties are well-organised and prepared, people have suffered great economic pain from the pandemic, and all 93 seats will be contested for the second election in a row, he said.
However, Prof Tan believes that the PAP still has the upper hand in the election. Rather than a takeover of the government, he believes that Singaporeans only want opposition candidates in the parliament to provide "credible alternative voices" to the PAP. But in such times of uncertainty, the people might want a change in government and mandate.
Will the PAP win by a landslide, or will the opposition parties triumph? The outcome remains to be seen.
Photo credit:
GeorgeTan # 2