Activist and lawyer M. Ravi filed an application yesterday (29 August) with the Supreme Court to disqualify Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam from the Presidential Elections 2023, according to a report by Mothership.
The 53-year-old lawyer who was previously given a 5-year suspension earlier this year for misconduct relating to allegations made against the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the Law Society (LawSoc), made the announcement on a live stream on his Facebook page,
Going live on Facebook from outside the Supreme Court building, Ravi discussed his intentions and the basis of his filing. He stated that Tharman had allegedly violated several articles of the Constitution, particularly focusing on Article 19, which forbids a presidential candidate with a criminal conviction from standing for election.
The Allegations
Ravi’s allegations hinge on Tharman’s history, specifically a previous conviction related to “disclosing state secrets.”
Ravi argued that this conviction disqualifies Tharman from the presidential race as it goes against the principles outlined in Article 45(1)(e) of the Constitution. This article outlines the criteria that bar individuals who have been convicted of offenses from contesting in the General Election or becoming Members of Parliament.
Central to the allegations is Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s conviction under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 1994. This incident, which happened nearly three decades ago, has resurfaced as a significant point of contention in Ravi’s argument.
In addition to Article 19, Ravi also cited Article 27, which pertains to the oath of allegiance to Singapore. He argued that Tharman has not renounced his international appointments.
Say Tan Kin Lian is the winner of the elections
Ravi’s efforts to challenge Tharman’s candidacy has purportedly gained support from individuals who shared his concerns. He revealed that he received two donations totaling S$600, which he used to cover the filing fees for his application.
One donation came from his nephew from the Epiphany Church congregation, while the other was contributed by a local woman who supported his cause.
During his live stream, Ravi made another surprising declaration. He referred to Tan Kin Lian, another presidential candidate, as the winner of the election.
He emphasized that Tan had pledged to halt all executions, which Ravi outspokenly welcomed.