Defending the Legitimacy of Singapore Elections: MARUAH Position Paper on Improving Citizen Confidence in the Secrecy of the Ballot

6 February 2013

MARUAH has published a position paper on voter confidence in ballot secrecy during elections in Singapore.

The paper studies the extent of voter confidence in ballot secrecy in Singapore elections and offers way to ensure that secrecy can be enhanced. On the basis of empirical evidence gathered from two surveys, MARUAH is setting out the view that a significant share of Singapore voters – approximately 10% – still cast their vote in fear that their ballots may be traced back to them by the authorities. This erodes the legitimacy of Singapore’s elections, undermines the standing of Parliament and violates the spirit of the 1971 declaration of Commonwealth principles signed by Singapore.

MARUAH sets out recommendations to address this problem so as to defend the perceived integrity of Singapore’s elections and to strengthen political stability by widening social acceptance of electoral outcomes.

MARUAH Position Paper on Improving Citizen Confidence in the Secrecy of the Ballot
ANNEX A – Country comparison
ANNEX B – Photographs


World Report 2013 by Human Rights Watch – “Singapore: Running in Place on Human Rights”

1 February 2013

Human Rights Watch has released it’s 23rd annual World Report, providing a summary of human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide in 2012.

“In Singapore, the slight relaxation of mandatory death penalty laws and curbs on an opposition party leader did little to relieve the severe restrictions the government imposes on civil society, Human Rights Watch said.”

Singapore: Running in Place on Human Rights
Government Makes Little Progress Implementing Rights Reforms
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/01/singapore-running-place-human-rights