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GE2015: 5 tips to know for the best rally experience

Plan ahead, whether as a first-time or frequent political rally attendee. Here are some useful tips, ahead of the coming election rallies.

By Hong Xinying

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Image: Yahoo file photo/ Ewen Boey

There are more than a few good reasons for voters to attend political rallies, to say the least.

Held typically between 9 to 10 days before Polling Day, these rallies offer the chance for the electorate to meet and hear from the nominated candidates in person.

Voters get to hear the parties involved speak for their causes, be it the new faces or the incumbent members of parliament; some more persuasive than others.

You may just get to witness history in the making at these rallies. While rally attendance does not give an accurate representation of the likely polling results, these events are among the most memorable moments during any election.

Opposition parties also tend to be most visible during the election rallies. This has partially to do with the legal restrictions here on public speeches. Outdoor political events are subject to permits, to be approved and regulated by the Singapore Police Force.

If you’re keen on attending as many rallies as you can, you won’t be doing yourself and your physical health any favours by going unprepared. Ahead of the coming elections, here are some practical tips for rally attendees.

Be there early and expect large crowds

Make your way to the popular rally venues early, to grab seats (if these are available) or to be as close to the stage as possible. Most rallies will typically start on time.

At the last election, ‘lunchtime’ rallies were held between 12pm and 3pm at Boat Quay, close to the UOB Plaza while evening rallies would typically run from 7pm to 10pm at assigned stadiums and open fields.

Traffic congestion is also expected at rally sites, so it’s best to take public transport to the venue.

If the attendance at 2011 election rallies were anything to go by, crowds at popular rally sites could average between 2,000 to 5,000 people or more in the evenings, based on Yahoo news reports.

One notable Workers’ Party (WP) rally covered by Yahoo in 2011 drew an estimated crowd of 15,000 attendees. Held in Hougang Central, the 28 April rally featured the maiden speeches of Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh and Faisal Abdul Manap, who were part of the WP team that contested and won the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) seats.

Due to the crowd size, it may not be as easy to get home as on a normal day. Keep calm or even stay where you are to wait ‘till the crowds disperse, for everyone is likely as eager to leave as you are.

Dress comfortably

As with any outdoor event, it’s wise to dress in comfort as you’ll be left standing while waiting and during the speeches. For rallies on weekday evenings, you might wish to spare yourself the torture of sweating it out in your stuffy work attire by changing into a more comfortable set of clothes and shoes.

Do bring an umbrella and pick shoes that you won’t mind dirtying, should the fields turn muddy in the case of rain.

Stay hydrated

Thanks to the humid weather, outdoor rallies are unlikely to be a walk in the park. Bring bottled water with you to drink from, so that you won’t be dehydrated during the session. It could help prevent a sore throat from getting worse, especially if you’re shouting out your support for the candidates.

Live in the moment without your smartphone

Some might argue that they’re doing non-attendees a service with their ‘live updates’ on social media. But chances are that cellular service will not work in the dense crowds at the popular rallies. You’re more likely to stare at the no-service notice on your screen than to send that timely tweet or Facebook post immediately. Why not embrace and live in the moment? After all, you might just be bearing witness to a historic moment.

Read ahead and come with an open mind

If you’re planning to attend rallies regardless of your political leanings, why not make the best of the experience — keep an open mind to watch and hear what the candidates have to say. Read up on what you can, about the people and parties involved at the coming elections. In short, be a well-informed voter in the lead-up to election day.