Changes in Processes to Prevent Misuse of Discarded Ballot Boxes

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Prime Minister in light of the discovery of unused ballot boxes that are not disposed of in a proper manner during the last presidential election (a) whether the Elections Department has studied the prospect of treating all ballot boxes, used or unused, as controlled items until the point of destruction in all future elections; and (b) what changes has the Elections Department introduced to its processes to prevent the occurrence of a similar incident in future.

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The Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence (Mr Chan Chun Sing) (for the Prime Minister): Mdm Speaker, may I answer this question on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Mdm Speaker, I had answered a question from the Member Mr Pritam Singh on the same issue last September. The ballot boxes discovered in August last year were used and empty ballot boxes that were not disposed of in a proper manner. There are no implications on the secrecy of the vote or the integrity of the election process.

The Elections Department has since reviewed and tightened their work processes to ensure that, after every election, all used and empty ballot boxes are accounted for and included in the general disposal of other debris and discarded items. When such boxes are in use to contain ballots, with proper seals, they should and are, indeed, accounted as controlled items. When such boxes are not in use, with no proper seal, they are not controlled items and we do not need to classify them as such.