Guidelines for safe campaigning, political broadcasts issued

Singapore

A NEW constituency political broadcast has been added to the two party political broadcasts so that political candidates from Single Member Constituencies (SMC) or smaller political parties can reach out to voters, in place of physical rallies.

The constituency political broadcasts are scheduled to be held from July 3 to 7, from 7pm, on MediaCorp's Channel 5, the Elections Department (ELD) said in an advisory issued on Wednesday.

Candidates contesting in an SMC may speak for three minutes each. Four-member Group Representation Constituency teams may speak for a total of 12 minutes, and five-member teams, 15 minutes. This is a new addition to the party political broadcasts, which only political parties that field at least six candidates under a recognised party symbol are eligible for.

The party political broadcasts are slated for July 2 and 9, both at 7pm. Candidates may choose to broadcast in all or any of Singapore's four official languages - English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Political parties and candidates may also apply to use any of the 10 venues provided by the government to conduct live streaming from July 1 to July 8, with a choice of three three-hour slots on each day: 7am to 10am, 12pm to 3pm, and 7pm to 10pm.

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Each slot will cost S$107 and will come with power, Internet connectivity, and basic furnishings, ELD said.

These guidelines are laid out in one of two advisories issued by ELD as the country gears up for a General Election where safe-distancing measures will be the norm, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, candidates may submit their documents and make payment electronically to ELD.

These forms are for the appointment of an election agent, application for a political donation certificate, minority community certificate, and other related documents. SingPass two-factor authentication will be used for security.

The forms will be processed by the next working day; minority community certificates will be issued before Nomination Day, ELD said.

Candidates who prefer to submit forms in hard copy can continue to do so, but they should download and print the forms from ELD's website instead of obtaining them in person from the department, ELD said.

They can also print their nomination papers from the department's website and bring them along on Nomination Day.

On Nomination Day, security checks and temperature screening will be conducted before candidates and their subscribers can enter the nomination centre, ELD said.

Supporters will not be allowed to enter.

For the first time, a candidate who is unwell or is on Covid-19 Stay Home Notice or Quarantine Order may authorise a representative to file his nomination papers on his behalf.

In a second advisory on "safe physical campaigning", ELD laid out guidelines on how candidates should interact with members of the public.

For example, interactions should be transient in nature and physical contact, including handshakes and high fives, should be avoided.

Face masks should be worn at all times and can be removed only when eating or drinking. They cannot be removed for the sole purpose of talking to others or taking photographs, ELD said.

As for the general public, the department advises them to watch the political broadcasts at home and to avoid gathering in public to do so.

It is also urges them not to gather near nomination centres during nomination proceedings or at facilities used for live-streaming e-rallies, as this may result in crowding.

For more of our Singapore GE2020 coverage, go to bt.sg/ge2020