SINGAPORE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (NO. 2) BILL

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Order read for resumption of debate on Question [19th December, 1963], "That the Bill be now read a Second time.".

Question again proposed.

2.31 p.m.

Mr Speaker: The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking in reply yesterday when he was interrupted at the moment of interruption. Does the Deputy Prime Minister wish to speak further?

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Just one line. Mr Speaker, I was going to end yesterday rebutting the Member for Hong Lim who had earlier on suggested that there was an attempt by the Government to fiddle with the electoral registers. I would only like to remind him that the results of the elections depend upon those who cast votes themselves. They are human beings who must be present in person. And being human beings, they will not like, without their own consent, to be transferred from one electoral district to another. Therefore, it is not possible at all to fiddle with the electoral registers to anybody's particular advantage. It is not the electoral registers which decide victory or defeat for a candidate, but it is the electorate themselves who make the decision.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Dr Toh Chin Chye]

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.