Press statement jointly issued by the Elections Department (ELD) and the Singapore Police Force (Police) in response to media queries:
- The rules relating to Cooling-Off Day have been in place since 2011. In the various elections since GE2011 right up to GE2015, there have been some breaches of the Cooling-Off Day rules. The approach that has been taken has been to give warnings in respect of these breaches. In some of the cases, the breaches were found to be unintentional.
- Despite the fact that the rules relating to Cooling-Off Day had been publicised several times, and reports of past breaches had also been made public, we observed what appeared to be deliberate and serious breaches of the rules under the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA) during the 2016 Bukit Batok By-Election. These breaches took place in spite of the advisory that the ELD issued prior to Cooling-Off Day, and a subsequent reminder on Cooling-Off Day against such activities.
- Various persons and sites published online posts in contravention of the PEA. For example, The Independent Singapore continued to post such material even after receiving a specific reminder from the Assistant Returning Officer not to do so. Given the blatant disregard of the PEA in the 2016 Bukit Batok By-Election, the Assistant Returning Officer decided to make police reports so that the Police could investigate.
- The Police are currently conducting their investigations. As part of the investigations, the Police need to examine for evidentiary purposes electronic devices used to publish the online postings. As such, these devices had to be seized. Upon the completion of their investigations, the Police will address the Attorney-General’s Chambers with their recommendations.
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POLICE REPORTS FILED FOR ELECTION ADVERTISING BREACHES DURING BUKIT BATOK BY-ELECTION
The Assistant Returning Officer has filed police reports against socio-political site The Independent Singapore (TISG) and two individuals – Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng – for publishing several online articles and postings that may be tantamount to election advertising, on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day of the recent Bukit Batok by-election.
Election advertising is defined as any material posted on any platform that is intended to enhance the standing of, or promote electoral success for, an identifiable party or candidate. Posting election advertising on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day is prohibited, as this campaign silence period is meant to give voters time to reflect rationally on issues raised before going to the polls.
In filing the police reports, the Assistant Returning Officer has taken into consideration the nature of the postings and the potential impact that they might have had. Socio-political sites such as TISG that regularly promote, propagate and discuss political issues should be accountable and responsible for what they publish. Not only did TISG publish articles that may be tantamount to election advertising on Cooling-Off Day, it continued to do so even after receiving a specific reminder from the ARO not to post any election advertising during Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day. The two individuals – Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng – also regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues
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Police reports filed over by-election ad breaches
An Elections Department (ELD) officer filed police reports yesterday against a socio-political site and 2 individuals for violating a ban on election advertising on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day for the Bukit Batok by-election.
The reports were made against online news site The Independent Singapore (TISG), former political detainee Teo Soh Lung, who turns 67 this year, and blogger Roy Ngerng, 35, ELD said in a statement.
All 3 published articles online or made Facebook posts on May 6, which was Cooling-off Day.
related:
Police reports filed against online articles posted on Cooling-Off Day
Posts, articles on Cooling-off Day, Polling Day
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Electronic devices seized for probe into Cooling-off Day breaches: SPF, ELD
Police seized the electronic devices of people under investigation for publishing online posts in contravention of the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Elections Department (ELD) said in a joint statement on Wed (Jun 1).
"As part of the investigations, the police need to examine for evidentiary purposes electronic devices used to publish the online postings. As such, these devices had to be seized," the authorities said.
"Despite the fact that the rules relating to Cooling-off Day had been publicised several times, and reports of past breaches had also been made public, we observed what appeared to be deliberate and serious breaches of the rules under the PEA during the 2016 Bukit Batok By-election. These breaches took place in spite of the advisory that the ELD issued prior to Cooling-off Day, and a subsequent reminder on Cooling-off Day against such activities," SPF and ELD said.
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Police probe activists for political comments on ‘Cooling Off Day’
TWO activists are being “extensively investigated” by Singaporean police for writing political-related material online on ‘Cooling Off Day’.
Blogger Roy Ngerng Yi Ling and former lawyer Teo Soh Lung were served with notices on Friday, May 27, informing them to attend a police interview on Monday.
The notices arrived after Singapore police published a press release announcing that an election official, who was not named, filed complaints against them for apparently violating the rules of ‘Cooling Off Day’.
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Singaporean Activists Harassed by Police for 'Breaching' Election Rules
Last Friday Singapore’s Elections Department announced that its Assistant Returning Officer had lodged police reports against news website The Independent Singapore and two individuals, Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, for breaching election rules relating to Cooling-Off Day during the Bukit Batok by-election held earlier this month.
According to the Cooling-Off Day rules under the Parliamentary Elections Action, election advertising is banned on the day before Polling Day, as well as on Polling Day itself. However, “the telephonic or electronic transmission by an individual to another individual of the first-mentioned individual’s own political views, on a non-commercial basis” is exempted from these rules.
Both Ngerng and Teo are social activists who have crossed paths with the powerful: Ngerng was famously sued for defamation by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, while Teo had, in the late 1980s, been detained without trial for about two years under the Internal Security Act.
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Cooling-Off Day breaches serious, says ELD in refuting criticism
Amid a chorus of voices — including that of the Workers’ Party (WP) — expressing concern over how the police is investigating alleged violations of Cooling-Off Day regulations in the Bukit Batok by-election, the authorities said they had observed “what appeared to be deliberate and serious breaches” of the rules.
The Elections Department (ELD) had filed police reports against former political detainee Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng. Both were accused of publishing several online articles and postings that may have breached rules against election advertising on May 6, the Cooling-off Day for the Bukit Batok polls. A police report was also made against socio-political website The Independent Singapore.
On Tuesday (May 31), lawyer Choo Zheng Xi said on Facebook that police officers had visited Ms Teo’s home and seized her electronic devices including her mobile phone, desktop and laptop computers, a move that Mr Choo described as “extreme”. Lawyer Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss also posted videos of police officers at Ms Teo’s house on Tuesday.
related: Police reports filed against TISG, 2 others over Bt Batok pol
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WP expresses concern about manner of investigations over alleged violations of “Cooling Off Day” regulations
The Workers' Party issued a statement on Wednesday to express its concern about the manner of how the investigations into the alleged violations of the Parliamentary Election Act is being reportedly conducted.
The party notes that other individuals or entities who have been reported for similar violations were not known to have faced the same treatment and urge the authorities to ensure that consistency and proportionality are applied to all investigations so as to maintain confidence in the Singapore justice system.
On Tuesday, TOC reported on how Roy Ngerng Yiling and Teo Soh Lung were being extensively investigated for their alleged offence for posting posts on their Facebook account during the recent Bukit Batok By-election Cooling Off Day
related: TSL visibly shaken from police raid involving 7-8 officers w/o search warrant
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Police reports made against website, 2 individuals for election advertising breaches
Police reports have been made against a socio-political website and 2 individuals, for allegedly publishing online articles and postings on Cooling-Off Day & Polling Day of the Bukit Batok By-election.
In a statement issued on Friday (May 27), the Elections Department (ELD) said police reports were made against The Independent Singapore (TISG), as well as former political detainee Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng over several online articles and postings that may be tantamount to election advertising.
In filing the police reports, the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) has taken into consideration the nature of the postings and their potential impact, ELD said.
related: MDA files police report against TMG for breaching Parliamentary Elections Act
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Police reports filed against The Independent Singapore, 2 others over Bt Batok poll
Police reports have been filed against socio-political website The Independent Singapore (TISG) and two individuals, for publishing several online articles and postings that may have breached rules against “election advertising” on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day during the Bukit Batok by-election early this month.
The two individuals are Ms Teo Soh Lung — who contested the 2011 General Election with the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) — and Mr Roy Ngerng, who stood for the Reform Party in Ang Mo Kio during last September’s General Election. The police said they are looking into the matter.
The Assistant Returning Officer for the by-election decided to lodge the complaints given that the three parties regularly promote, propagate and discuss political issues, the Elections Department said in a press release on Friday (May 27), adding that TISG had continued to publish articles after having received a reminder not to do so.
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WP's Leon Perera says he is 'not involved' in operations of website facing police probe
Workers' Party (WP) Non-Constituency MP Leon Perera said he is not involved in the management and operations of socio-political site The Independent Singapore, which is being investigated for violations of Cooling-Off Day rules during the Bukit Batok By-Election.
Mr Perera, who is on the WP's top decision-making central executive committee, also said on Thursday (Jun 2) that he is not a member of the website's board of directors.
He is, however, a minority shareholder whose role, he said, is limited to "providing occasional advice on long-term business strategy, not on editorial decisions or content".
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ELD files police reports for election advertising breaches against TISG and two individuals
The Prime Minister Office (PMO) has just released a statement about the filing of police reports by the Assistant Returning Officer from the Election Department against socio-political site, The Independent Singapore (TISG) and two individuals - Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng – for publishing several online articles and postings that may be tantamount to election advertising, on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day of the recent Bukit Batok by-election.
On 6 May (Cooling-Off Day), TISG published two articles, "5 highlights of DPM's speech" and "Workers' Party and the Bukit Batok By-election" and on 7 May (Polling Day), it published an article, "Tan Cheng Bock denies involvement in posting by irrational group of PAP fans".
As for the two other individuals, both posted posts that supposedly support the candidate from the Singapore Democratic Party on cooling off day.
related:
Stark contrast in police enforcement of Cooling Off Day regulations
Teo Soh Lung visibly shaken from police raid involving 7-8 officers w/o search warrant
Police investigations on 2 individuals who allegedly violate cooling off day regulation
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Police Reports Filed Against The Independent Singapore, Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng
Police reports have been filed against socio-political website, The Independent Singapore, as well as Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng.
The website and duo have been accused of publishing several online articles and postings that may have amounted to “election advertising”, on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day of the recent Bukit Batok by-election.
The Elections Department says that TISG continued to publish articles after having received a reminder from the Assistant Returning Officer not to do so.
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Government critics arrested with Cooling Off day rule
The Elections Department lodged three police reports against government critics on May 27. Political blog, the independentsg, and two individuals, activists Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, were named as offenders breaching the undemocratic election rule where non-government media and individuals are banned from commenting on politics on the day before voting day.
Independentsg’s editor is Kumaran Pillai and it is understood a notice has been served to him. The three faces up to 1 year jail and S$1,00 fine if convicted.
Yesterday (May 31), Roy Ngerng and Teo Ser Lung’s houses were raided by the Singapore Police without a search warrant. All digital information, including personal material, from computers and handphones were confiscated in the police raid, like as in terrorist and drug trafficking cases.
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Police to investigate The Independent, Teo Soh Lung, Roy Ngerng for ‘election advertising’
IT’S a big day for The Independent Singapore (TISG) – in more ways than one. Just as it’s sitting down to announce news of its partnership with The Opinion Collaborative Ltd this afternoon (May 27), the Elections Department has issued a statement saying police reports have been filed against the socio-political website for publishing several articles online that could be considered as election advertising on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day.
Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, an individual convicted for posting election advertising on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day may be fined up to $1,000 and/or jailed for a year. Cooling-Off Day for the Bukit Batok by-election was on May 6. Polling Day was May 7. The police reports were filed by the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO). Apart from TISG, the ARO also filed reports against two individuals: Ms Teo Soh Lung and Mr Roy Ngerng for the same breaches.
Here are the list of stories which the Elections Department said was in breach of the Parliamentary Elections Act. At the time of this report, the stories were not taken down yet and were still available.
related: Will posting “I support Chee Soon Juan” on Facebook land you in jail?
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Troubling that “inspector” left warrant card “in the car” – but gained access to home
In what is a troubling turn of events, an “inspector” involved in the investigation of the so-called “Cooling-off Day” incidents failed to produce her warrant card when asked about it.
Mrs Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, a lawyer, was present when several police officers (witnesses placed the number at seven), conducted a raid on Ms Teo Soh Lung’s home. The investigation was over complaints filed against Ms Teo by the Election Department (ELD) for allegedly making a post on her personal Facebook page on Cooling-off Day during the recent Bukit Batok by-election.
It is against the law to participate in election advertising on Cooling-off Day. However, personal electronic transmission of one’s personal views to another person is allowed. It is thus unclear what exactly Ms Teo is being accused of.
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HUMAN RIGHTS NGO: STOP UNJUST POLICE HARASSMENT OF ROY NGERNG & TEO SOH LUNG
Community Action Network (CAN) calls for an end to the harassment of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, who are under investigation following police reports filed by the Elections Department alleging that they had breached Cooling-Off Day rules during the Bukit Batok by-election.
Ngerng and Teo have both been subjected to long interviews in police headquarters this morning. The police then proceeded to search both their homes for over two hours. During the search, they were not allowed to make any phone calls.
The Elections Department's own website states that the Cooling-Off Day rules do not apply to the "transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means". Ngerng and Teo's posts on their personal Facebook pages fall under this exception.
related:
PAP MP: WP HAS VESTED INTEREST IN COOLING DAY INVESTIGATION?
OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS BREAK RULE KENA ARREST & SEARCHED
WHY EXTREME POLICE ACTION TAKEN FOR COOLING DAY OFFENCES?
I REPORTED BREACH OF ELECTION ADVERTISING TO ELECTIONS DEPT
ROY NGERNG FELT RAPED BY POLICE, AM I AN UNFILIAL USELESS SON
COMPLAINT SENT TO ED FOR POST MADE ON POLLING DAY
WHY EXTREME POLICE ACTION TAKEN FOR COOLING DAY OFFENCES?
I REPORTED BREACH OF ELECTION ADVERTISING TO ELECTIONS DEPT
ROY NGERNG FELT RAPED BY POLICE, AM I AN UNFILIAL USELESS SON
COMPLAINT SENT TO ED FOR POST MADE ON POLLING DAY
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CAN: Action taken upon Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung is police harassment
Statement by Community Action Network (CAN) on the actions by the police against Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung's alleged violation of the Parliamentary Election Act during the recent Bukit Batok By-election.
Community Action Network (CAN) calls for an end to the harassment of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, who are under investigation following police reports filed by the Elections Department alleging that they had breached Cooling-Off Day rules during the Bukit Batok by-election.
Ngerng and Teo have both been subjected to long interviews in police headquarters this morning. The police then proceeded to search both their homes for over two hours. During the search, they were not allowed to make any phone calls.
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Function 8 condemns use of gov’t powers against individual citizens and civil society groups
Function 8 deplores the intimidation of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung and the unnecessary seizure of their mobile phones and computers on 31 May 2016. This follows their interviews with the Singapore police at the Police Cantonment Complex pertaining to an investigation into facebook postings on cooling off day on 6 May 2016. The police have clearly abused their power of investigation as both Roy and Soh Lung had never denied, and indeed confirmed at the interview, that they had commented on, and shared postings on Facebook which had been made by others.
Function 8 deeply regrets the actions of the police in this unnecessary seizure which is an invasion of privacy and an act of intimidation against Roy and Soh Lung. In our view, it is part of a chain of recent incidents that encroach upon the work of civil society which contribute to the legitimate exercise of good citizenship.
We, at Function 8, condemn the use of governmental powers against sincere individual citizens and civil society groups that are striving to make our nation a more inclusive, and a more caring one, accountable for the welfare of our fellow human beings. This is truly an act of legal opportunism.
related:
TISG is fully cooperating with police investigations in alleged breaches of Cooling Off
ELD has to explain why it singled-out Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung
Our response to the police report filed by Elections Department for alleged election
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Totally baffled by ELD’s police reports
The Elections Department (ELD) has made police reports against a website and two individuals for “for allegedly publishing online articles and postings on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day of the Bukit Batok By-election.” The two individuals are Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung.
The posts by Teo Soh Lung range from a prosaic summary of final rallies of both PAP and SDP to one that quite explicitly encourages people to vote for Dr Chee.
As for Roy Ngerng, his posts were quite overt in calling for people to support Dr Chee.
related: Are SPF and ELD the lapdogs
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What’s wrong, ELD?
News broke on Friday that the Elections Department (ELD) had lodged a police report against Teo Soh Lung, Roy Ngerng, and The Independent Singapore (TISG) for their posts made on 6 May, which happened to be the Cooling-off Day for the Bukit Batok by-elections.
My personal understanding of the regulations for this ridiculous day is that it does not apply to anyone else except for political parties and their advertising platforms so it was rather puzzling as to why the ELD had found fault with Soh Lung, Roy, and TISG.
Really, what is so wrong about anyone engaging in political discussions, or expressing opinions that are critical of the official narratives on a regular basis? In my opinion, these actions symbolise active citizenry, and all of us do hold the right to form and express opinions even if they are not complementary to the actions and narratives of the government. If Soh Lung and Roy were singled out because they “regularly engage in the propagation, promotion, and discussion of political issues,” then we have an issue here – our freedom of political expression is at stake.
related: HOW DO WE IDENTIFY A POLICE OFFICER?
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Soh Lung Teo FB May 30 at 3:30pm
What is happening to our Police Force?
Many of you may know that on Friday, 27 May 2016, the Asst Returning Office whose name is not disclosed in the Media Statement issued by the Elections Department lodged complaints against Roy Ngerng, TSIG and me for posting comments on Cooling Off Day, 6 May 2016.
I was contacted by journalists and soon found out what the fuss was all about. Our police force worked with uncanny speed in investigating the complaint against me. The very next night, Saturday, 28 May, at about 9.59 pm, I noticed an envelope marked “On Government Service, Towards 21st Century” pushed midway through my door. It was a letter from the Singapore Police asking me to go to the Central Division, Police Cantonment Complex for an interview today, 30 May at 9.30 am.
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CAN: Action taken upon Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung is police harassment
Statement by Community Action Network (CAN) on the actions by the police against Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung's alleged violation of the Parliamentary Election Act during the recent Bukit Batok By-election.
Community Action Network (CAN) calls for an end to the harassment of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, who are under investigation following police reports filed by the Elections Department alleging that they had breached Cooling-Off Day rules during the Bukit Batok by-election.
Ngerng and Teo have both been subjected to long interviews in police headquarters this morning. The police then proceeded to search both their homes for over two hours. During the search, they were not allowed to make any phone calls.
read more
Function 8 condemns use of gov’t powers against individual citizens and civil society groups
Function 8 deplores the intimidation of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung and the unnecessary seizure of their mobile phones and computers on 31 May 2016. This follows their interviews with the Singapore police at the Police Cantonment Complex pertaining to an investigation into facebook postings on cooling off day on 6 May 2016. The police have clearly abused their power of investigation as both Roy and Soh Lung had never denied, and indeed confirmed at the interview, that they had commented on, and shared postings on Facebook which had been made by others.
Function 8 deeply regrets the actions of the police in this unnecessary seizure which is an invasion of privacy and an act of intimidation against Roy and Soh Lung. In our view, it is part of a chain of recent incidents that encroach upon the work of civil society which contribute to the legitimate exercise of good citizenship.
We, at Function 8, condemn the use of governmental powers against sincere individual citizens and civil society groups that are striving to make our nation a more inclusive, and a more caring one, accountable for the welfare of our fellow human beings. This is truly an act of legal opportunism.
related:
TISG is fully cooperating with police investigations in alleged breaches of Cooling Off
ELD has to explain why it singled-out Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung
Our response to the police report filed by Elections Department for alleged election
read more
Totally baffled by ELD’s police reports
The Elections Department (ELD) has made police reports against a website and two individuals for “for allegedly publishing online articles and postings on Cooling-Off Day and Polling Day of the Bukit Batok By-election.” The two individuals are Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung.
The posts by Teo Soh Lung range from a prosaic summary of final rallies of both PAP and SDP to one that quite explicitly encourages people to vote for Dr Chee.
As for Roy Ngerng, his posts were quite overt in calling for people to support Dr Chee.
related: Are SPF and ELD the lapdogs
read more
What’s wrong, ELD?
My personal understanding of the regulations for this ridiculous day is that it does not apply to anyone else except for political parties and their advertising platforms so it was rather puzzling as to why the ELD had found fault with Soh Lung, Roy, and TISG.
Really, what is so wrong about anyone engaging in political discussions, or expressing opinions that are critical of the official narratives on a regular basis? In my opinion, these actions symbolise active citizenry, and all of us do hold the right to form and express opinions even if they are not complementary to the actions and narratives of the government. If Soh Lung and Roy were singled out because they “regularly engage in the propagation, promotion, and discussion of political issues,” then we have an issue here – our freedom of political expression is at stake.
related: HOW DO WE IDENTIFY A POLICE OFFICER?
read more
Soh Lung Teo FB May 30 at 3:30pm
Many of you may know that on Friday, 27 May 2016, the Asst Returning Office whose name is not disclosed in the Media Statement issued by the Elections Department lodged complaints against Roy Ngerng, TSIG and me for posting comments on Cooling Off Day, 6 May 2016.
I was contacted by journalists and soon found out what the fuss was all about. Our police force worked with uncanny speed in investigating the complaint against me. The very next night, Saturday, 28 May, at about 9.59 pm, I noticed an envelope marked “On Government Service, Towards 21st Century” pushed midway through my door. It was a letter from the Singapore Police asking me to go to the Central Division, Police Cantonment Complex for an interview today, 30 May at 9.30 am.
read more
Teo Soh Lung: What is happening to our Police Force?
Many of you may know that on Friday, 27 May 2016, the Asst Returning Office whose name is not disclosed in the Media Statement issued by the Elections Department lodged complaints against Roy Ngerng, TSIG and me for posting comments on Cooling Off Day, 6 May 2016. I was contacted by journalists and soon found out what the fuss was all about.
Our police force worked with uncanny speed in investigating the complaint against me. The very next night, Saturday, 28 May, at about 9.59 pm, I noticed an envelope marked “On Government Service, Towards 21st Century” pushed midway through my door. It was a letter from the Singapore Police asking me to go to the Central Division, Police Cantonment Complex for an interview today, 30 May at 9.30 am.
I live in a private estate and was puzzled how the letter could be delivered by the police without the knowledge of the security guards. An unmarked car must have entered my estate as a visitor and plain clothes officers must have delivered the letter to my door.
related: Roy Ngerng’s 8 hour ordeal with the police
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Roy Ngerng Yi Ling FB 16hrs
Was at the police station at 10am. Left close to 6pm.
Police took out 14 posts on Facebook and blog to question me. But there were posts completely unrelated to the election. One was on the funding update for the defamation suit that I faced from the Singapore prime minister. Another was just thoughts about how tax should be calculated in Singapore.
The Election Department reported that I posted articles on the day before election - which to let my foreign friends know, is illegal in Singapore.
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PEA allows “transmission of personal political views on the Internet” – or does it not?
But first, the Elections Department (ELD) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued a joint-statement on 1 June 2016, “in response to media queries”. (See here.) That in itself is puzzling for very obvious reasons. Let us remember that it was the ELD which had filed the complaint with the SPF.
So, why would or how could the supposedly neutral SPF, which is still conducting its investigations, issue a joint-statement with the complainant (ELD)?
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Statement on “Cooling Off Day” Investigations
The Workers’ Party is concerned about the manner in which the current investigations into alleged violations of “Cooling Off Day” regulations are reportedly being conducted.
We understand from the public record that other individuals or entities who were reported for similar violations in the past were not known to have faced the same lengthy interviews, and searches and seizures of personal equipment.
We urge the authorities to ensure that consistency and proportionality are applied to all investigations, as these are key to maintaining confidence in Singapore’s law enforcement organisations and legal system.
related: WP's Leon Perera says he is 'not involved' in operations of website facing police probe
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SDP calls for fairness in implementation of Cooling-off Day regulations
It is unfortunate that the Elections Department (ELD) has chosen to file reports against Mr Roy Ngerng and Ms Teo Soh Lung when countless other individuals have posted material related to the by-election in Bukit Batok.
This includes PAP candidates such as Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Ms Tin Pei Lin in previous elections.
This is the problem when the ELD works under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Department must not only discharge its duty in a non-partisan manner but it must also be seen to do so.
related: RCs in Bukit Batok SMC putting up & taking down PAP candidate’s banner
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Teng Yong Ping Daryl FB
The Elections Department isn't the only one who can make police reports.
Seeing that the ELD only seems to make reports against online media and opposition supporters, yesterday I made a police report about possible breaches of election advertising rules by the PAP. You can see pictures of the police report as well as all accompanying evidence below:
Man makes police report against alleged flouting of elections advertising rules with PAP-related materials
An individual by the name of Teng Yong Ping Daryl announced on his Facebook that he has lodged a police report on the alleged flouting of elections advertising rules involving materials depicting People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates.
This was done presumably in response to the Elections Department (ELD) making a police report against socio-political site The Independent Singapore, ex-ISA detainee Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng for allegedly flouting “Cooling Off Day” rules on political reporting during the recent Bukit Batok by-election. ELD making police reports on election rules violation.
Teng said this in his Facebook post, “The Elections Department isn’t the only one who can make police reports. Seeing that the ELD only seems to make reports against online media and opposition supporters, yesterday I made a police report about possible breaches of election advertising rules by the PAP.”
related:
Female "police officer" involved in Teo Soh Lung's case catches Internet's attention
Posts that allegedly violated the Bukit Batok by-election cooling-off day rules
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MDA files police report against TMG for breaching Parliamentary Elections Act
The Media Development Authority (MDA), acting on behalf of the Returning Officer, filed a police report against online news site The Middle Ground (TMG) after it was deemed to have breached the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The report was filed at 12.40pm on Fri (May 6). At 9:30am, MDA issued a takedown notice for TMG's article titled "BB BE: 50 voters in Bukit Batok". TMG was ordered to remove the article from its website no later than 3:30pm.
The piece, published on May 5, had asked 50 Bukit Batok voters over the past week how they would vote.
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ELD receives complaint on fanatical PAP site’s posting on Polling Day
A complaint has been sent to the Elections Department on 30 May, Monday indicating that a fanatical Facebook page that openly supports the ruling People’s Action party might have contravened elections advertising regulations.
The email to ELD, sent by a Mr Lee, contains a link to a Facebook page that contains a screenshot of the PAP fan page that shows the page owner making a post on 7 May, Polling Day.
In the post, the PAP fan page made specific reference to the rally speech by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, when he supposedly called for voters to “vote Murali because he is working for you.”
related:
Tan Cheng Bock denies involvement in posting by irrational group of PAP fans
5 highlights of DPM’s speech:Tharman wants to debate Chee, but not in Parliament
Workers’ Party and the Bukit Batok by-election – What the WP members said
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What action did Election Department take in response to PAP candidates’ posters at Nee Soon GRC?
At the end of nomination proceedings, the Returning Officer will issue to the candidate or his election agent a permit authorising the display of posters and banners in public places within the constituency where the candidate is contesting in. The permit will specify the maximum number of posters and banners allowed to be displayed in public places within the constituency (other than election rally sites) and may contain certain conditions restricting the place at and the manner in which the posters and banners may be displayed.
No person shall display or cause to be displayed in any public place election posters and banners without authorisation by the Returning Officer.
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Are the PAP’s mini posters in Nee Soon GRC allowed?
"According to this article it is illegal to paste mini election posters, and it doesn't matter who does it as the law states no one other than the candidates or his/her election agent can put up campaign posters.
However in Nee Soon GRC where I live such posters have been put up in public places such as the area near the Sheng Siong and NTUC supermarkets opposite Khatib MRT, Blk 605 and Blk 645 Yishun St 61 coffee shops. The number of posters stuck in these places is clearly in blatant disregard of elections regulations.
Attached are some pictures of the offending posters."
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No further action against Tin Pei Ling: Police
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement today that no further action will be taken against Marine Parade GRC Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling.
She allegedly posted a comment on her Facebook page on May 6, Cooling-Off Day.
The comment read: 'OooOoooOooh! so that's what REALLY happened? Wow. I think tears in Parliament is worse than ANYTHING ELSE!'
related:
Nicole Seah files complaint against Tin Pei Ling
Police report lodged against Tin Pei Ling
No campaigning allowed on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day
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Facebook post on Cooling-Off Day caused by bug: Vivian Balakrishnan
A FaceBook post by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has triggered a ripple of reaction among online users on Cooling-Off day.
Writing to the Elections Department on Thu (Sep 10), the Minister for Environment and Water Resources said that the post was the result of a “bug” and he has asked Facebook to investigate the matter.
“It has been brought to my attention that a Facebook post that was originally uploaded on Sep 4, 2015, has been auto-posting recurrently since then,” said Dr Balakrishnan in a statement. “As my Facebook and Twitter accounts are linked, an associated tweet was also generated at the same time. Despite multiple attempts by the page administrators to stop this, the problem recurred at 1:52am on Sep 10, 2015.”
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Stark contrast in police enforcement of Cooling Off Day regulations
During the 2011 General Elections, a member of the public filed a police complaint against Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling for flouting Cooling Off Day regulations.
Subsequently, in 2015's General Election, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah, posted a Facebook post after midnight on Cooling Off Day.
related:
Police reports filed over by-election ad breaches
Bukit Batok polls: The aftermath
Bukit Batok by-election: And The Winner is
Bukit Batok by-election: Polling Day
Bukit Batok by-election: Cooling-Off Day
Bukit Batok by-election: Whose side are you on?
Bukit Batok by-election rallies - 1
Bukit Batok by-election rallies - 2
Bukit Batok by-election to be held on May 7
The Upcoming Bt Batok By-Election
Bt Batok MP resigns over 'personal indiscretion'
