ELD’S FINDINGS ON NAMES NOT IN THE CERTIFIED REGISTERS OF ELECTORS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2023

Since 11 August 2023 when the Writ for Presidential Election 2023 was issued, about 200 Singaporeans have informed the Elections Department (ELD) that their names were not reflected in the Registers of Electors certified on 20 July 2023, even though they said that they had voted at General Election 2020 (GE2020). As a result, they did not receive their Poll Cards and will not be able to vote at Presidential Election 2023 (PE2023).

2 Prior to every election, voters would have been informed to check on their voter status and apply to restore their names to the registers if the names have been removed. The first opportunity to do so was in 5 October 2020, when ELD published the list of nonvoters for GE2020. More recently, in the leadup to PE2023, ELD revised the Registers of Electors to bring the Registers up to date as at the prescribed date of 1 June 2023. Singaporeans were then invited to inspect the revised registers from 15 June 2023 and again when the Registers of Electors were certified on 20 July 2023. Those whose names were not in the registers could apply to restore their names to the registers.

3 Between 5 October 2020 until the Writ of Election was issued on 11 August 2023, a total of 32,807 voters successfully applied to restore their names to the registers, and they will be able to vote at PE2023. The number of voters restored to the registers this time round is similar to previous elections.

4 As the Writ of Election had been issued on 11 August 2023, under the law, no restoration can be made to re-instate non-voters into the Registers until the end of Polling Day on 1 September 2023. This is because the Registers are conclusive evidence used to determine whether a person is or is not entitled to vote at the election, and it is thus necessary to maintain the certainty of the Registers once the Writ was issued.

5 Based on ELD’s preliminary checks, the NRICs of some voters may not have been properly scanned by the electronic registration devices used at polling stations in GE2020, resulting in the voter attendance data not being captured in the system. For PE2023, more sensitive electronic registration devices will be deployed at the polling stations.

6 ELD will be reaching out to Singaporeans who have informed us of this matter and will, upon verification, restore their names to the registers after the election, so that they can vote at future elections. No further action from them is needed.

ISSUED BY
ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
24 August 2023

In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Education (MOE) revealed that starting from January 2024, school bus operators will have the opportunity to adjust the pricing cap of bus fares within existing contracts, according to Channel NewsAsia.

This adjustment could potentially lead to an increase of up to 13 per cent in bus fares, signifying the second consecutive year of fee hikes. The MOE emphasized the necessity of these changes due to the ongoing financial pressures experienced by school bus operators.

Rising Costs and Adjustments

The decision to raise the pricing cap for school bus fares follows a 7 per cent increase that occurred in January of the current year. The MOE justified these adjustments by pointing to the continual escalation of operational costs faced by school bus operators.

With this context in mind, the increase of up to 13 per cent is aimed at providing operators with the flexibility to ensure the sustainability of their services while meeting the needs of the students who rely on them.

Ensuring Service Continuity

A key rationale behind these adjustments is to mitigate potential disruptions to families that might arise if school bus operators are unable to maintain their operations due to financial constraints.

By allowing fare increases, the MOE hopes to reduce the risk of service interruptions and ensure that families relying on school bus services will not face undue inconvenience.

Communication and Implementation

Parents and guardians can expect transparent communication regarding fare revisions from school bus operators as early as September of this year.

The advance notice is aimed at providing families with sufficient time to adjust their budgets and make informed decisions.

Financial Assistance and Subsidies

Recognizing the importance of affordable transportation for students, the MOE also highlighted measures to alleviate the financial burden on families.

Under the Financial Assistance Scheme, primary school students will receive subsidies covering 65 per cent of their monthly school bus fares, an increase from the previous subsidy level of 60 per cent implemented in January.

The initiative aims to make school bus services accessible to a broader spectrum of students and alleviate financial stress on families.

Supporting Those in Need

For families requiring additional support beyond the increased subsidy percentage, the MOE underscored the availability of assistance through schools.

This approach reflects the Ministry’s commitment to creating a safety net for families facing financial difficulties, ensuring that no student is left without access to school bus services due to economic constraints.

Sustainability and Collaboration

The Ministry of Education emphasized their dedication to maintaining a sustainable school bus service model. They intend to work closely with both schools and bus operators to ensure that the adjustments align with the best interests of all stakeholders.

Image source: Andrew Thomas via Wikipedia Commons.

TWENTY-THREE MOTORISTS TO BE CHARGED WITH DRINK DRIVING

Twenty-three motorists, aged between 20 and 49 years, will be charged in court on 24 August 2023 for drink driving offences.

These motorists were arrested between January 2023 and August 2023 when they failed the breathalyser tests during routine Police checks. Nine of the motorists will be facing additional charges for other traffic offences.

The details of the nine cases are as follows:

1. On 14 January 2023, in two separate cases, two men, aged 32 and 43 years, collided into the rear of a stationary lorry along TPE, towards PIE, before Loyang Avenue exit and a tree along Tuas Avenue 8, respectively. They were found to have driven their cars under the influence of alcohol and would be charged with the offence of drink driving and driving without due care under Section 67(1)(b) and Section 65(1) of Road Traffic Act 1961 respectively.
   
2. On 19 March 2023, a 33-year-old man allegedly ran the red traffic light signal and collided into a stationary car, on the opposite direction of Yishun Avenue 1. He was found to have driven his car under the influence of alcohol and would be charged with the offence of drink driving and dangerous driving under Section 67(1)(b) and Section 64(1) of Road Traffic Act 1961 respectively. (Refer to Annex A for case photograph.)
   
3. On 4 February 2023, a 44-year-old man collided into the rear of a motorcycle along Outram Road. He was found to have driven his car under the influence of alcohol and would be charged with the offence of drink driving and driving without due care under Section 67(1)(b) and Section 65(1) of Road Traffic Act 1961 respectively.
   
4. On 24 May 2023 and 9 June 2023, two men, aged 30 and 28 years respectively, allegedly left their cars in a stationary position along Jurong West Street 32 at the junction of Jurong West Avenue 1, and along Hougang Avenue 1 respectively. This caused danger and obstruction to other road users. Investigations revealed that both men had driven their cars after consuming alcohol, and subsequently fell asleep behind the wheel. They would be charged with the offence of drink driving and leaving a vehicle in a manner causing undue inconvenience to others under Section 67(1)(b) and Section 122 of Road Traffic Act 1961 respectively. 
   
5. On 17 May 2023 and 6 June 2023, two men, aged 37 and 49 years respectively, allegedly drove their cars and mounted the centre dividers at Victoria Street and Macpherson Road respectively. They were found to have driven their cars under the influence of alcohol and would be charged with the offence of drink driving and driving without due care under Section 67(1)(b) and Section 65(1) of Road Traffic Act 1961, respectively. (Refer to Annex B for case photograph.)
   
6. On 7 July 2023, a 45-year-old man was stopped for checks at a Police roadblock. The driver was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. As the driver was a repeated drink driving offender, he would be charged with drink driving under Section 67(1)(b), punishable under Section 67(1) read with Section 67(2)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and would be sentenced to imprisonment if convicted.

The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol under Section 67(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000, or imprisonment for a term up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, and imprisonment for a term up to two years. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles. 

Senior Assistant Commissioner Daniel Tan, Commander Traffic Police said, “Driving under the influence of alcohol is a reckless and irresponsible act. Such acts not only jeopardise the safety of the irresponsible driver, but also the safety of other road users. Drink-driving is a serious offence, and the Traffic Police will not hesitate to take firm action against such road users.”

Annex A

Post-accident scene of the vehicles involved in the case of a motorist who drove under the influence of alcohol and beat red light before colliding into a stationary vehicle on the opposite direction of the road ▼

Annex B

Post accident scene of one of the vehicles which was mounted on the centre divider ▼

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 August 2023 @ 12:30 PM

Statement by Election Department

TAN KIN LIAN’S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BROADCAST (PCB) SPEECH

Presidential candidates receive TV and radio airtime for national campaign messages. They were informed of the timings of the Presidential Candidate Broadcast and the rules on 12 August 2023, and were briefed on 21 August 2023. All candidates must submit their scripts in advance.

2 Mr. Tan Kin Lian’s original script had inaccuracies about the President’s role. Specifically, he suggested that the President can provide guidance on the reserves’ investment strategies and influence government policy. After being notified of the inaccuracies, Mr. Tan’s election agent had corrected them without objection.

3 All Presidential candidates, including Mr. Tan, signed a statutory declaration on their nomination paper to confirm that they have read the explanatory material on the President’s constitutional role, including the specific examples of what the President can and cannot do. They also signed a voluntary undertaking on campaigning for the election in a manner that is dignified, decorous and consistent with the President’s position. The statutory declaration, explanatory material and voluntary undertaking can be found here:

https://go.gov.sg/nomination-paper-pe2023;
https://go.gov.sg/voluntary-undertaking-pe2023; and
https://go.gov.sg/explanatory-material-on-president-role.

4 We remind all candidates not to mislead the public about the President’s role.

ISSUED BY
ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
24 August 2023

Tan Kin Lian says IMDA got no “authority”

According to Channel NewsAsia, Tan responded to his speech being edited, saying that IMDA asked for three paragraphs of his speech to be removed, which Tan deemed to be the “most important paragraphs” of his speech.

The edited portion related to his advice on investing Singapore’s reserves, and his wanting to “influence” the government policies in terms of living, housing and security of jobs.

Tan said that he didn’t agree with the decision to remove that portion of his speech and that “I consider the IMDA does not have the authority to interpret the Constitution in their way and ask for the statements to be removed.”

In a somber incident that unfolded at 6.11pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, a 64-year-old e-bike rider became entangled in a collision with a school bus at the intersection of Hougang Street 61 and Avenue 8 in Hougang, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The Accident Scene

The accident’s aftermath painted a distressing picture. The collision forcefully threw the e-bike rider from his vehicle onto the road. Passers-by who witnessed the incident immediately rushed to the rider’s aid, demonstrating the compassion and solidarity of the community.

Several individuals at the scene tried their best to assist the injured e-bike rider. Eyewitness accounts reported that amidst the chaos, a bystander wearing a white shirt took charge, performing CPR on the unconscious rider.

The Fatal Outcome

Despite the efforts to save him, the injuries sustained by the e-bike rider proved to be fatal. An ambulance arrived promptly and rushed the victim to the hospital. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.

Details About the School Bus

The school bus involved in the accident had just completed its duty of dropping off students before the unexpected collision occurred. The circumstances leading to the collision remain unclear, but this incident raises questions about road safety protocols around school buses and other vulnerable road users.

The Role of the Bus Driver

The 69-year-old bus driver remained at the scene following the accident, cooperating fully with the police investigation.

A 28-year-old man, Goh Jun Liang, was jailed 6 weeks on 2 August for attacking a prostitute after being unsatisfied with her service, according to Channel NewsAsia.

What happened

Goh Jun Liang, a Malaysian national employed as a packer in a pharmaceutical company, came across the profile of a prostitute advertising her services online. The woman’s identity cannot be revealed due to a court order.

On the night of 16 April 2022, Goh arranged to meet the prostitute at her residence after viewing her online advertisement.

The encounter began amicably as Goh handed over the agreed upon fee of S$130. They engaged in consensual intercourse and everything seemed ordinary until Goh’s request for a second round, which he paid another $130 for.

The situation took a turn when Goh struggled to perform during the second round and required assistance from the prostitute.

This experience left him feeling unhappy and embarrassed, which was further compounded by the sex worker’s comment about his performance, saying that he was taking too long and was “troublesome”.

Feeling both dissatisfied and aggrieved, Goh’s emotions escalated, and he decided to forcefully take back the money he had paid.

Picking up a metal water bottle from a nearby table, he physically assaulted the sex worker, targeting her back and neck. His demand for a refund turned violent, and the assault only ceased after the victim surrendered the money.

Goh then left and the victim then made a police report after calling her friend for help – she suffered a swollen shoulder and pain on her head but refused to seek medical attention.

Legal ramifications

Goh Jun Liang was subsequently charged with voluntarily causing hurt, to which he pleaded guilty. The court recognized the severity of his actions, leading to a six-week jail sentence.

The legal proceedings not only held him accountable for his violence but also emphasized the significance of respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.