The Presidential Election came and went.
Singapore's 7th President won the popular vote with a Mandate of 35.2%. This will well go down in history as the most razor-thin margin over the runner-up candidate, by just 0.34%. Frankly speaking, though I expected the contest to be close, I didn't expect it to be THIS close.
I'm not surprised by the win. The candidate had enjoyed the countless open endorsements by the top-ranking echelons of the ruling party, as well as more than three-quarters of trade unions in Singapore. These endorsements serve to influence voters by injecting 'confidence', and it worked their way successfully.
However, despite being closely related to the establishment and having strong union support, the dismal margin over the runner-up seems to be a little embarrassing. Even a recount had to be called for. I believe this had not been foreseen by the ruling party, even after allowing 4 candidates qualified to run. (I shan't touch on sensitive conspiracy theories here). But I doubt this PE is going to send much 'wake-up call' to the government (as hoped by some), simply because the Presidential Election is meant to be 'non-partisan'.
Having said that, the statistics of this nation-wide election does portray a clearer idea of the proportion that is strongly-supportive of the ruling party. The President-elect has been widely accepted as "The Ruling Party candidate", and hence the 35.2% shouldn't veer too much away from the proportion of voters who are rock-hard supporters of the ruling party.
However, the same cannot be concluded about the proportion of Die-hard Opposition supporters. This is because that group of voters has been split between a more assertive Opposition figure Mr Tan Jee Say, and a vocal and rational Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who had proven to be able to speak up against the ruling party in Parliament. But yet, we cannot simply add up the statistics of these 2 candidates, because a portion of Dr Tan's votes might have come from swing voters, who are also just as likely to vote the ruling party during General Elections, if the line-up is good.
Elections are divisive in nature, because voters are forced to take sides. Interestingly, although it's a battle between 4 candidates, this PE had in some way, evolved into a battle of "Yes, I want him to win" and "No, I definitely don't want him to win". That probably explains the outpouring of emotions, comments and disapprovals, especially online, by the rest of the 65% of voters. Wounds will heal over time, but it would be better if the President can prove and show his worth to that majority, because buried resentment can resurface itself again.
Nevertheless, Singapore has won. Walkovers in elections may never be the norm again. But those elected (both Parliamentary and Presidential) will face an ever-challenging term of office, with themselves put under constant scrutiny. People are now asking questions. That's really a good sign.
Although the new President might not have the Mandate from the 65% of us, but on paper, he has won the coveted President title. Whether or not he will win over the hearts from the rest-- is an answer that can only be known, 6 years later.
人生是黑白的.
8:55 PM <3
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