ST: Large number of uncontested seats in elections is cause for
worry
Jan 11, 2006
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,364080,00.html?
I cannot agree more with Tan Chak Lim's comments on the state of
the electoral process in Singapore (Too many GE walkovers, so will
I get to vote this time? ST Jan 7).
As a Singapore citizen, I too have not had the opportunity to
exercise my right to vote despite witnessing several general
elections.
As citizens of Singapore, we feel at home in this nation and expect
the right to benefit from its resources. But we do not have a sense
of ownership of its fate or feel entitled to make statements on how
the nation should be run beyond coffee-shop talk.
I am not referring to being involved in politics but to the lack of
opportunity to exercise a sense of active belonging to the nation
through our right to vote.
Since the introduction of the Group Representation Constituencies
in 1988 (which is a good scheme in that it ensures racial balance
in politics) the number of uncontested seats in the general
elections has risen exponentially from 11 out of 81 in 1988 to 55
out of 84 in 2001.
Such a trend does little to encourage Singaporeans' practical
commitment to the nation.
The general election is one important means through which citizens
can demonstrate their right to have an opinion about the future of
the nation.
If our GRCs continue to grow in size and appear more like big
corporations, it is very likely that general elections will become
a walk in the park for incumbent MPs.
And for every uncontested electorate, citizens are further removed
from involvement in the political process. It is critical that the
electoral process offers citizens a sense of ownership and personal
investment in the nation's destiny.
Dr Selvaraj Velayutham
