1. The Straits Times ran an election survey,on 10 Jan 2013 “”ST poll: More rooting for PAP” in the Straits Times after the writ was served for the BE2013 in Punggol East. Links:
- http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130114-395273.html, ‘Elections Department says police looking into ST report, 14 Jan 2013′
- http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/01/11/did-straits-times-break-the-laws-of-parliamentary-elections-act/
- http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/01/28/sts-illegal-polling-why-still-no-charges-yet/
2. The police on 14 Jan 2013 said they are investigating into the complaint as it contravened and fell against the Elections Law, “Section 78C of the Parliamentary Elections Act which forbids the publication of the results of any election survey” from the day the writ is issued to the close of all polling stations on Polling Day.
3. Warren Fernandez, the editor of the ST claimed and I quote:
“Our reporters spoke with residents in Punggol East to get their comments and a sense of the ground for our election reports. This was not a full-scale survey, or scientific poll, by any means.”
4. But in simple layman’s English, Warren Fernandez admitted in his reply that a survey was done, nevermind if it’s a full-scale one or not.
5. Now is April 2013 (3 months have passed) and Singaporeans are still waiting for the outcome of this case which DPM Teo Chee Hean as Home Affairs Minister In Charge Of The Police and the Investigating Police officers Including The Head Of The Elections Department (Under The Prime Minister’s Office) has yet to answer to.
6. Online buzz is still continuing (thanks to the Internet, it doesn’t forget things!) and netizens don’t want to see this matter forgotten. We need to know the response of the Govt in this matter ASAP.
7. Any delay in the proper legal and police action against the party, especially when it is seen as part of the establishment, can affect the credibility of our good police force.
8. Singaporeans still respect our laws and our highly regarded police force and systems. We believe we have proper, open and fair judicial system in Singapore. As such, we would like an answer from the relevant authorities and want a closure to this matter ASAP.
Desmond