The Workers' Party (WP) is calling on the government to publish their election campaign rules.

In a statement published on May 28, 2020, the political party asked for the government to clarify the rules that would apply to the upcoming General Election.

Call comes after hints about election by DPM Heng Swee Keat

The call by WP follows statements made about the elections by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat, in a media interview on May 27.

A day before WP released the statement, Heng remarked in an interview with CNA that it would be better for a general election in Singapore to be held as soon as possible.

Heng said an election ought to happen soon as "the earlier we can rally everybody together to deal with these very significant challenges ahead, and also to deal with these very significant uncertainties in the months and years ahead", the better to prepare Singapore for the future.

"A distinct lack of clarity" despite calls for announcement on changes

WP said in its statement that there "has been a distinct lack of clarity as to precisely how campaigning will be modified in view of the Covid-19 pandemic", saying that:

"Several Ministers have made vague and unspecific comments since March that campaign methods would need to be modified.

However, despite the Party’s calls, there has been no definitive announcement by the Elections Department on these anticipated changes."

The opposition party added that political parties "risk squandering resources and expenditures" if the mode of campaigning remained uncertain.

It raised the example of video streaming as a campaign tool, saying that while it has been stated to be allowed in the upcoming elections, regulations on the content and format of such videos have yet to be announced.

WP emphasised in its statement that the elections were an essential feature of Singapore's democracy that should not be taken lightly.

"Contesting parties should know the ground rules as soon as possible, in order to be well-prepared to offer Singaporean voters their best efforts at the polls," WP said.

You can see WP's full post here:

Election should be held as early as possible, DPM says

Singapore's next election must take place by April 14, 2021.

Heng said on May 27 that an election ought to happen soon, as "the earlier we can rally everybody together to deal with these very significant challenges ahead, and also to deal with these very significant uncertainties in the months and years ahead", the better to prepare Singapore for the future.

Singapore's economy faces significant long-term challenges that need to be dealt with over the next five to 10 years, he said.

Precautions for elections to be held amid Covid-19 pandemic

The rules on political campaigning are expected to be modified in light of the Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong having previously said that the government will take "all the precautions necessary".

A Covid-19 election bill, previously said to include "contingency plans to put in place precautionary measures to ensure a safe election" has been passed into law earlier this month.

However, it does not contain any provisions relating to campaigning, as it relates mostly to voters' eligibility to vote if they are being quarantined or on Stay-Home Notices.

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