SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (June 23) said he has decided to call the general election now, while the Covid-19 situation is relatively stable, to 'clear the decks' and give the new government a fresh five-year mandate.
SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday said he has decided to call the general election now, while the Covid-19 situation is relatively stable, to"clear the decks" and give the new government a fresh five-year mandate.
This general election will be like no other that Singapore has experienced, he said, not just because of the special arrangements to deal with Covid-19, but also the gravity of the situation and the issues at stake. Lee said he had to be certain of two things before calling the election - that voters can vote safely, and political parties can campaign effectively.Additional precautions will be in place on Polling Day, he noted, including more polling stations to reduce crowding, specific time slots for voting and safe distancing measures.
Addressing the Covid-19 pandemic during the speech, Mr Lee said the Government has been fully occupied with the Covid-19 outbreak since the beginning of the year. He stressed that the Government will continue to govern during the election period with the Cabinet still in charge after Parliament is dissolved. The public service will also function normally."This is so in every General Election. But I emphasise this now, because of the vital importance of ongoing operations against Covid-19, sustaining the economy and protecting jobs," he said.
Many other countries, including South Korea, China and Germany, have successfully brought their cases down, only to experience fresh outbreaks after opening up again, he added. Diplomatic skills, and a deft touch, are needed for Singapore to navigating safely through these challenges and protect its national interests, he said.
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