CAMPAIGNING is important in a general election because
politicians would seek to reach out to their constituents and
correspondingly canvass for votes on polling day.
Election campaigns serve a myriad of purposes.
First, voters would want to know more about the candidates
contesting in their constituencies and their views. Even though new
faces would have been unveiled in advance, constituents would know
of the candidates in their areas only on Nomination Day.
Campaigning also allows voters to interact with candidates, thus
testing the latter's communication skills.
Second, campaigning allows voters to weigh the varying messages
and manifestos put forward and make an informed decision. Dialogues
on national concerns or policy recommendations would be more
focused and increasingly substantive.
Finally, as the electoral battle intensifies, the candidate's
and party's ability to deal with criticisms and rhetorical salvos
under pressure will reveal their crisis management abilities.
Given these reasons, the 10-day minimum period for campaigning
(which includes the eve of Polling Day, in which no campaigning is
allowed), would be counter-intuitive.
A mere nine days is insufficient to explain policies and
introduce new faces, and benefits the incumbents. Campaigning
duties would be especially demanding for candidates in group
representation constituencies, given the geographical spread and
sheer number of residents.
A longer period for campaigning will also dismiss criticisms
that parties are unwilling to have their policies or track records
scrutinised and deliberated upon. With the proliferation of social
media and the Internet, increased campaigning time will grant
segments of grassroots Singaporeans who feel disenfranchised or
hard done by a valuable opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction
and opinions and have them heard.
It is only during a general election that the population is most
sensitive, attuned and reactive to this multitude of
sentiments.
A more viable period for campaigning would be between two and
three weeks, which would grant candidates a minimum of two weekends
to walk the ground and connect with the constituents.
It would also be a test for the parties and candidates to manage
their manpower and resources, and increase their outreach
productively and efficiently.
Kwan Jin Yao