Changes on how to conduct elections

[Parkingidiot]

Seems that a slew of new changes have been approved for the forthcoming general elections... should make it more interesting from both sides of the coin - for the incumbent as well as the opposition.

 

some of the new changes :

 

1. "Promotional items such as T-shirts, soft toys, pennants and hats bearing the logos and campaign messages of political parties and their candidates" such campaign material will now be exempted from the regulations governing election advertising. The exemption list had previously comprised only buttons, pens, pencils and

balloons.

 

2. Posters and banners can be displayed on vehicles approved for election campaigning.

 

3. Candidates may also get an additional opportunity to address supporters. The returning officer overseeing the elections can now allow all candidates to do so on Nomination Day, once proceedings at the centres end. Previously, this discretion was extended only to candidates who were given a walkover.

 

4. Flexibility will be given in another area: In the setting up and dismantling of stages and tents at rally sites, and for the display of election posters and banners. These can now be carried out by work pass holders and permanent residents contracted by candidates and their election agents. (Ah.. maybe this is the real reason why so many FT allowed into Singapore ) Previously, the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA) had prohibited non-citizens from taking part in election activity.

 

5. Election agents have two new forms to fill in when consolidating the expenses of candidates within a Group

Representation Constituency. Form 19A details expenditure such as advertising and printing of promotional

materials, while Form 20A is a declaration of accuracy.

 

6. Campaigning via podcasts, videocasts, blogs, Twitter, MMS, Flickr, Facebook and mobile applications.

Candidates must declare the platforms they intend to use