The Good and Bad on Nomination Day

Several controversies on the first day of the GE. There were complaints and protests, some were resolved amicably and gentlemanly, some were questionables. The first complaint raised was the occupational status of Sim Ann, a PAP candidate in the Holland Bukit Timah GRC. She stated in the form that she was unemployed. The SDP quickly pointed out that she was a civil servant. Then there was drama and suspense for about an hour before the Returning Officer made a press statement that she had paid in lieu of notice period, and PSC had confirmed that she was no longer a civil servant. The SDP was gracious enough not to pursue the matter further. One up for sportsmanship to the SDP. The second controversy involved Ng Teck Siong and his independent team of candidates contesting in Tanjong Pagar. They were late but not really late to miss the deadline of 12 noon. Uncle Yap was there to witness the event and has a video circulating in cyberspace. What happened was that the team was held up a bit too long with the Commissioner of Oath and the swearing protocol. Ng Teck Siong was still able to submit his papers to the Returning Officer way before 12 noon while his team mates were still stuck with the Commissioner of Oath. Just a few minutes before 12 noon, the Commissioner of Oath corner shouted for him, probably to clarify on some matters. He asked the Returning Officer for permission to answer to the call and permission was granted. But the few precious minutes passed by quickly and they heard the Returning Officer announced that all nominations were closed, to their horror. He went back to the Returning Officer who duly returned him the papers that he accepted earlier. Get the picture? This is Uncle Yap’s version and he had recommended that the case be brought before the court of law for a hearing and judgement. There are definitely many ambiguities and doubtful areas that Ng Teck Siong’s team could raise. Anyone wanted to be a gentleman and be gracious in this case? Looks like it is a forgone conclusion and already cast in iron. One down on sportsmanship and the technicalities. Heard that there were two cases of irregularities in the forms, one for an opposition party and one on the side of the PAP. Both were rectified and put to rest, gentlemanly. One up for both sides. The pre Nomination hustlings between Vivian and Vincent on the issue of video clips and gay agenda have come to an amicably ending. Both sides agreed to put the issue to rest. One up for each side. Yes, it is possible to raise the conduct of the election to a more respectable manner with all sides playing above board instead of lurking in the corners trying to trip each other. So far so good and looking promising. But the internet mole brigades are still on the loose. Will they be reined in and stop their nonsense? The big guns of the parties are all calling for a fair and clean fight. They better live up to it. And that will be nice. For whatever smear campaign or acts committed, it will be hanged on their necks forever. No way to hide. There is not only the main media to account to, there is a more vicious and brutally forthright new media watching the election like a hawk.