Don’t think I will do this year any justice if I don’t even have a post on the Singapore 2011 General Elections. I actually missed most of the build-up and rallies cause I was away – Got back just 3 days before polling day and managed to catch up on the campaigning news, watch rally videos and feel the electrifying atmosphere at a Worker’s Party rally. This elections is particularly significant for me cause it’s the first time I’m eligible to vote and I actually do get to vote cause of all, except one constituency is contested this round. Hopefully this GE will usher in a new chapter for Singapore – both for politics and for policies.
There is so much talk and buzz that this is ‘the‘ elections. Obama was elected based on his call for change and I see the opposition using the same message throughout. It’s all about perception ain’t it? If you are contented with status quo, then why change? If you are not, then of course you’ll want change. Whether the changes are good or bad, it’s a gamble we all have to take. Both sides have their pros and cons. Neither side is totally good nor totally bad. So… big question mark.
I hold the belief that one should not vote for the opposition for the sake of voting for them, but that they should be worthy and credible enough . Think most of the opposition teams have done this for this year, which of course contributed to the huge build up. Huge turnouts for the opposition rallies compared to those held by PAP. Of course, everyone wants to hear what the opposition says. Afterall, we already know what the incumbents will say. Whether this translates to votes, we will only know tonight.
Much has been said about the keenly contested Aljunied GRC. Most ppl, myself included, believe it’s too close to call and it’s where the opposition has the biggest chance to take a GRC. I would honestly be pretty torn between the two if I resided in Aljunied. How do you decide between five risk-taking, outstanding individuals and a dedicated/reputable minister? It’s not fair to ‘punish’ the ruling party by just taking any of them down. Are we unhappy with all of them in general? or with just some of the other ministers who will nonetheless be elected, and likely hold on to their previous portfolios? But then again, this is just one of the many things that seem to have backfired on this electoral system. Another example, because surveys/exit polls are not allowed, there is less certainty/prediction on what will happen. So everyone will just sweat it out lor.
Can’t believe there is so much hoohah over the POSSIBILITY of ONE opposition team winning ONE constituency… Yes, granted it’s a GRC. guess it’s a baby step… but still a step nevertheless… Maybe more black horses in and interesting results in store… Whatever the outcome tonight, I think the biggest takeaway from the GE though.. is that younger Singaporeans are NOT that apathetic about politics. Coming in a close second is that politics have evolved and the parties should start using social media to engage the voters. Tough choices ahead…
