Presidential election candidates encouraged to use social media, TV; rallies not recommended: ELD

SINGAPORE - Candidates in the upcoming presidential election are encouraged to use platforms that reach out to voters at large, such as broadcasts and social media, said the Elections Department on Saturday.

Each candidate will be allocated two blocks of 10 minutes’ airtime, free of charge, to make his statements across 19 Mediacorp TV channels, and Mediacorp, SPH and SoDrama! radio channels. So far, there are four presidential hopefuls: former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, entrepreneur George Goh, 63, former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75.

Due to safety and security considerations, candidates are encouraged to hold such election meetings, if any, at sports stadiums or indoor venues, said ELD. For example, these online ads must include the details “paid for by” and “sponsored by”, while ads sent via e-mail must come from a functioning e-mail address that is clearly displayed, where recipients may reply to indicate their desire not to receive any more such materials.

In a joint advisory, they said Singaporeans have the right to participate in online discussions on the election, but should refrain from behaviour which may be offences under the law. People should also not make online posts with deliberate intent to wound racial feelings, promote enmity between different groups on grounds of race, nor engage in conduct that incites hatred on religious grounds.Candidates can spend up to $812,822.10 in election expenses, said ELD.

Candidates may use these means of advertising as long as they comply with the controls on quantity, size, location, manner of and period of display, as well as any further conditions stated in the Returning Officer’s permit. However, they are not allowed to give speeches from the vehicles, or provide public entertainment during the broadcast of the messages. Vehicles with open decks are not allowed to carry any persons on the decks.ELD said that foreign interference includes attempts by foreign actors to manipulate domestic politics through covert and deceptive means, which undermines political sovereignty and harms social cohesion.

Individuals under the age of 16, who have been subject to the Criminal Law Act, foreigners and foreign entities are prohibited from taking part in any election activity.

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