Are our presidential elections more democratic than our general elections?
August 30th, 2023 | 
Author: 
I refer to The Independent Singapore News’ OPINION: “Are our presidential elections more democratic than our general elections?” (Aug 26).
It is interestingly to note that the Prime Minister of Singapore, who wields real power, is not chosen directly by the people. Instead, the Presidency is. However, let us put aside this subject first.
Even though the President of Singapore is virtually with zero political power, and the President’s office is mainly a ceremonial one, every Singaporeans with the eligibility to vote should treat the voting seriously and carefully select their preferred Presidential Hopefuls.
In due course, the respective presidential hopeful is fully utilising this short span of election to expound his vision and the ways to execute his ceremonial, custodial duties and obligations if fortunately being elected as the presidency.
Simultaneously, the reporters of our mainstream, social and political media should carry out their reporting of the speeches from the presidential candidacies in the manner of transparency, accountability and integrity.
By doing so, the people will have an accurate, full and thorough picture and understanding of the speeches from the specific presidential candidate.
In the Taiwan’s political arena, especially during the era of Democratic Progressive Party which is in power since 2016, it has raised a large number of cyber soldiers who specialize in social media and political sabotage, smear and suppress upon the ruling party’s political opponents.
Anyway, I sincerely hope not to see this type of malicious trolling take place in our homeland.
Most importantly, each presidential candidacy must mutually respect each other and not to do any unnecessary or harmful smearing.
Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)
Posted in 
Good to have a clean and gentleman EP contest…for the hoghest office of the Land.
A contest of individual and his Vision for Singapore..
Singapore will be better for it.
Also EP a direct mandate from the people.
May the best man for Singapore WIN…
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Hope EP will always remain a non partisan election.
And good and capable people without link to any parties will
come up for election…
Make it easier for such people to stand…
Good for Singapore.
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You are right but the non partisan mantra had not happened for many years, in fact a generation.
In fact, TS should just be honest that HE IS PARTISAN but he chose to put on a mask after being partisan for decades.
If you shit in the same potty for decades and you flush once, will you say that the water is clean to drink?
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“Even though the President of Singapore is virtually with zero political power, and the President’s office is mainly a ceremonial one.”
You spread falsehood and lies,
The President of Singapore is a very powerful post. That’s why PAP die die must keep the post for its people (of course without the party membership).
The person who occupies this very powerful post can choose the easy way: accept everything that is presented to him/her. A person who has been conditioned for 20 years that PAP is always right will naturally accept everything.
Take the Ridout case. The President can choose to have a review or to keep his/her mouth shut.
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More democratic?
How?
THE $500M IS NOT DEMOCRATIC AT ALL.
Though the campaigning process seems more so.
Lets PUT MORE TRUST ON EACH OTHER.
$500M BARRIER IS SAME SAME AS GRC.
THANK YOU.
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This writer is misleading. Candidates are muzzled. No rally allowed. Only PAP elites and super bigshot business people can be candidates. Media has PAP chairman, and what else?
This is democratic? Seow.
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Singapore is a democratic country – maybe not a liberal democracy like UK or USA, but a democracy for sure. Here, the people, the voters can throw out anyone if they want. This is not China Communist Party where people have no say. Xi can declare himself president for life !
And it is important to note tht TKL, in his many postings here in TRE, has said China Communist system is good, but not democracy. So can we give him our vote ?
The choice is between Tharman and NKS/ mess up ballot paper spoilt vote (unfortunately NKS is a solid candidate but has no chance so voting for him is effectively a spoilt vote). Tharman has been a good person – humble, well respected, highly capable, not unlike Ong Teng Cheong, and I will encourage support of that.
The opposition made big mistake of putting up a real weak candidate TKL. they should have found someone else. And if they could not, they could have at least thrown in support of NKS. Now, choice between Tharman and TKL, and Tharman wins hands-down.
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A country where 99.999% of Singaporeans cannot stand for this election. You call this a democracy?
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Even if the contest is open to 100% of the population, how many will step forward?
Who is so stupid to have his/she deposits forfeited….
So isn’t this very clear the post is forever reserves for their own guys………and yet there are 70% blind voters.
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