Next election shaping up to be a unique one in Singapore's history

THERE is a little over 12 months to go before Singapore reaches the constitutional deadline to conduct its next general election (GE). Realistically, there are only a few windows left in the current parliamentary term to carry out the poll that could involve around 2.6 million eligible voters. To compound matters, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has scuppered the plans of all political parties here as they gear up for the big day.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said recently that the coronavirus outbreak could last for a year and possibly longer. On Tuesday in Parliament, his deputy Heng Swee Keat said the Covid-19 fight would be over "perhaps within a year or two".

What this means is the election is almost sure to take place when Singapore is still dealing with the disruption caused by the virus. There have been concerns among the electorate about the timing of the GE, and how such a major exercise can be carried out smoothly and safely for voters, candidates and election officials.

What's certain is that an election during the Covid-19 outbreak will be the most unique in Singapore's history. A new Bill introduced in Parliament on Tuesday morning, and which will likely be passed at the next sitting in May, proposes several contingency measures should the election take place during the outbreak.

Those on Covid-19 stay orders will be allowed to vote outside of their stipulated electoral divisions such as at designated facilities they are housed in, so as to avoid mingling with other voters. An aspiring candidate can name a representative to file his nomination papers should he be unable to do so due to a Covid-19 quarantine or Stay-Home Notice, hospitalisation or ill health.

In this critical "stay-at-home" period where social distancing is fast becoming the norm, it's hard to imagine the election rallies of the past where thousands of people gather on an open field to listen to fiery speeches, or watching scores of candidates pound the housing estates from day to night to shake countless hands and hand out flyers.

Ahead of the debate on the new election Bill, there is some scope for the election process to be tweaked to give greater peace of mind to voters who are concerned about large crowds when going out to cast their ballots.

There could be staggered voting times, with specific hours set aside just for the elderly and disabled, for instance. The layout of the polling stations, too, should be designed in such a way that the queues are well spaced out to conform with social distancing guidelines. Perhaps Polling Day could be spread across two or even three days, to give as many people as possible the chance to vote. It's radical, but then again, these are unprecedented times we live in.

With the electoral boundaries review committee report already out, and the update to the electoral registers nearly done, the signs point to a GE being called sooner rather than later. The government will have to carefully assess the evolving Covid-19 situation, and make a judgment call whether it is practical to send people out to vote. Although voting is mandatory in Singapore, this duty of every adult citizen should be properly weighed against the risks posed by the pandemic.

READ MORE: Proposed law to facilitate voting and nominations if GE held amid Covid-19 restrictions