Police reports filed against sociopolitical site, 2 persons for breach of election advertising rules
(Yahoo file photo)
Police reports have been filed against sociopolitical website The Independent Singapore (TISG) and two individuals - activist Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng - for allegedly breaching “election advertising” regulations on Cooling-Off Day (6 May) and Polling Day (7 May) for the recent Bukit Batok by-election.
The parties in question had published several online articles and postings that may be tantamount to election advertising on the aforementioned days, which is prohibited, said the Elections Department (ELD) in a press release.
The reports were filed by the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO).
According to the ELD, “not only did TISG publish articles that may be tantamount to election advertising on Cooling-Off Day, it continued to do so even after receiving a specific reminder from the ARO not to post any election advertising during Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day.
“The two individuals – Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng – also regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues.”
The ELD said that on Cooling-Off Day, TISG uploaded two articles entitled “5 highlights of DPM’s speech – Tharman wants to debate with Chee, but not in Parliament” and “Workers’ Party and the Bukit Batok by-election What the WP members said”. On Polling Day, TISG also uploaded the article “Tan Cheng Bock denies involvement in posting by irrational group of PAP fans”.
The ARO’s police report against Teo involved four Facebook posts that the latter made on Cooling-Off Day, while the report against Ngerng was made in relation to his Facebook post on 6 May calling for contributions to an “I believe in Chee Soon Juan” photo campaign and an article posted on his blog on the same day.
“Election advertising” includes any material that can reasonably be regarded as intended to “promote or procure the electoral success” for, or “enhance the standing of”, any election candidate or political party.
The prohibition on posting election advertising on Cooling-Off Days and Polling Days is meant to “give voters time to reflect rationally on issues raised before going to the polls” during the period of “campaign silence”, said the ELD.Those in breach of the prohibition, which is covered under Section 78B(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, may be fined up to $1,000 and/or jailed 12 months.
