CHANGES TO NOMINATION DAY PROCEEDINGS

CHANGES TO NOMINATION DAY PROCEEDINGS: 13.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Prime Minister (a) whether he would provide the rationale for the recent changes to Nomination Day proceedings which were gazetted on 14th March 2011; (b) what criteria would the Returning Officer use to decide if candidates in contested constituencies would be permitted to address their supporters at the Nomination Centre; (c) when and how are candidates to apply for such approval; and (d) how much time will candidates be given to address their supporters.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr K Shanmugam): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, could I ask that some documents* be distributed to the Members?

*Cols. 4833-4856.

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Shanmugam: These documents set out the factsheet as well as the list of legislation summarising the changes, for Ms Sylvia Lim's ease of reference. I think she will appreciate that we always try and make things easier for her.

Many of the legislative changes which were gazetted on 14th March 2011 were to refine existing electoral proceedings; some changes were also technical in nature in view of the prevailing laws. Nomination Day proceedings will remain largely the same as in previous elections.

One change from previous practice for Nomination Day proceedings is that candidates in contested constituencies will now be allowed to address their supporters at the Nomination Centre. Previously, they were not allowed to do so, so it is a relaxation.

This change was made in response to feedback following the last elections. Candidates addressing their supporters at the close of nomination proceedings will have to abide by the instructions given by the Returning Officer or the Group Assistant Returning Officer (GARO) and adhere to some conditions such as the length of their address. An area outside the nomination hall will be designated for such speeches to be made at the close of nomination proceedings.

There is no need for candidates to make an application for approval to address their supporters at the Nomination Centre. At the close of nomination proceedings, the GARO will invite the candidates, both from contested and uncontested constituencies, to address their supporters.

Upon invitation by the GARO, each Single Member Constituency candidate will have up to one minute to give a short address. Each team of Group Representative Constituency (GRC) candidates can take up to three minutes. There will be no limit to the number of candidates from each GRC team who can speak, so long as the team keeps within the allotted time. Speakers will be alerted by bell chimes towards the end of their allotted times.

Ms Sylvia Lim (Non-Constituency Member): Mr Speaker, just two supplementary questions. I thank the Minister for the details as to the timings and so on. In the Gazette , it is also mentioned that the RO or ARO will decide the order in which the different candidates will speak. Is there a principle to this? For example, is it by alphabetical order?

Last of all, it is also mentioned in the Gazette that we have to use equipment as authorised by the RO. So, can I assume that the equipment will be provided – the Public Announcement (PA) system?

Mr Shanmugam: Sir, there is some degree of discretion given to the RO and GARO but generally they will follow the alphabetical order, and I believe the equipment will be provided.