'Blatant & irresponsible': Elections Department on Sengkang woman who secretly filmed voting process

The Elections Department Singapore (ELD) has criticised the behaviour of a social media user who secretly filmed the voting process on Polling Day.

ELD said such "blatant and irresponsible behaviour" can undermine public confidence in the integrity of elections.

This came after a TikTok user uploaded footage of herself voting on Polling Day, including a 2-second clip featuring the voting booth as well as her ballot paper.

In the video, the woman said that she knew the taking of photos and videos was strictly prohibited, but she "secretly" did so anyway.

The TikTok account has since been made private.

Similar videos recording the voting process were posted to Douyin on Polling Day, May 3, but were later removed, according to Stomp.

ELD's response

In response to media queries, an ELD spokesperson said ELD was aware of the case involving the voter in Sengkang, who recorded and uploaded footage taken of herself at the polling booth within a polling station on Polling Day.

"We have reviewed the incident carefully. We note that the footage does not carry any information on how other voters had cast their vote, and therefore did not compromise the secrecy of their vote."

"Nevertheless, such blatant and irresponsible behaviour can undermine public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process," said the spokesperson.

ELD said it will strengthen voter education efforts to reinforce awareness of the do's and don'ts at polling stations.

It will also strengthen its training to remind election officials to watch out for and stop such behaviours in future elections.

Top image from ELD/Facebook & @tanjongpagar1/TikTok