Rethink decision on polling station complaint: SDP chief

THE Singapore Democratic Party has called on the Attorney-General (AG) to rethink its decision not to proceed with the complaints against several People's Action Party leaders for being present in polling stations during the General Election in January.

It said the decision was "truly befuddling" and called on the Attorney-General to state clearly if it was an offence for unauthorised persons to enter polling stations.

The SDP statement came a day after Workers' Party chief J. B. Jeyaretnam called on the Public Prosecutor to explain why the complaints lodged by the WP and SDP against Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Tony Tan for entering polling stations were dismissed by the police last Thursday.

On the advice of the A-G's Chambers, the police dismissed the complaints, saying that there was no provision in the Parliamentary Elections Act for any offence of unauthorised entry into, or presence within, a polling station.

In his statement, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan said that the "unalterable fact remains that these persons were present inside polling stations which is, under Section 82 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, prohibited".

"By taking such a stand, the A-G is setting a dangerous precedent," he added, arguing that the law was clear on the presence of unauthorised persons at polling stations.

"With the A-G's interpretation, how will the authorities prevent non-candidates and non-voters from entering polling stations in future elections?" he asked.

"Does this mean that any Tom, Dick and Harry can freely go in and out of polling stations?"

He noted that supporters assisting opposition candidates were prevented from entering polling stations.

"Why are candidates and their agents made to wear labels signalling their authority to enter the polling stations?"

He also wanted to know if PAP leaders had signed such authorisation forms or whether they were given labels which enabled them to enter the polling stations.

"Such questions must be answered. Otherwise, the entire legislation regulating polling procedures will be made a mockery of," he said.