2/ AT A GLANCE: 🗳️Are you a first time Presidential Election voter? Most first-time PE voters whom TODAY spoke to have limited knowledge of or wish they know more about the President’s role. Here are some examples of what the President can and cannot do.
First-time voters agreed that they have had difficulties sifting through information on what the President’s role is all about.
Some voters also said that even if they did read or talk about the President’s role, it would typically be done on a superficial level. 1988-1990: Two White Papers on the Elected Presidency were presented in Parliament, which set out proposals to amend the Constitution to institute a President elected by the people to safeguard the nation’s reserves, protect the integrity of the public service, among other amendments. The proposed change to an Elected Presidency was based on the need for a direct mandate from voters to wield additional constitutional powers on their behalf.
2016: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the Presidential Election in 2017 would be reserved for Malay candidates, as Singapore had not had a Malay President since the introduction of the Elected Presidency scheme. In the IPS Commons’ article, Dr Koh and Ms Lim wrote that the ELD, together with the media, can engage younger audiences through short informative visuals and videos on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, simplifying the legalese of the presidency and election rules.The candidates themselves can also put out more content — both online and offline — to educate the young electorate on the significance of the position they are vying for.
One 23-year-old student from the National University of Singapore , who wanted to be known only as Nicholas, said that he hopes that tertiary institutions can consider adding a module on Singapore politics. “Experiential learning will provide future voters a better grasp of the nuances of our political systems, including the presidency,” they wrote.
“Other attributes include… the ability to work with the elected government of the day in the exercise of custodial powers to ensure there is no gridlock even as he carries out his constitutional duties; and a demonstrated track record of promoting multiracialism,” he said.“As such, voters should determine the candidate with the best experience and ability for the office and who has demonstrated and will exercise independence of mind and action would be deserving of the vote.
Instead, voters should look out for candidates who they think will most effectively represent Singaporeans' interests and priorities as they exercise the responsibilities of office. He added that such a move could give rise to conflicts between the President and the executive, and may portend a legal crisis on the interpretation of the appropriate separation of powers.
For first-time voters who have yet to figure out what makes for a good President in the Singapore context, some analysts suggested that they should consider the candidates’ ability to fulfil the two main presidential roles: To unite the nation as its figurehead, as well as effectively exercise his constitutional duties.If there is a contest for the upcoming PE, the sheer number of new voters will be one of the election’s key features, said several analysts.
It is thus no surprise that the presidential hopefuls have been stepping up their game on social media, the young’s stomping ground.
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