The Atmosphere Of The Singapore Election Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporeans give their voting rights to determine their future. People came to vote wearing masks and gloves. The election amid the COVID-19 pandemic was also marked by the threat of Singapore's economy leading to the worst recession ever.

Launching Reuters on Friday, July 10, election officials wearing masks and other protection. They enforce safety-distance rules and measure the temperature of voters when entering voting booths. The morning session is prioritized for the elderly to avoid overcrowding.

Meanwhile, officials also expect voters to have no more than five minutes to cast their vote. Barriers were set up at some polling stations as an added security measure. Queues were formed. Some people complained about having to wait up to an hour.

"Given his condition, I am considering whether it is worth risking my health just to exercise my voting rights," said Joseph Lim, a technology professional, describing his reluctance to vote despite realizing the election is mandatory in Singapore.

Since the relaxation of lockdowns last month, the number of new daily cases in Singapore has doubled. Last week, to be precise. This number does not include migrant workers living in dormitories, where the transmission rate is much higher.

Singapore is not the first country in Asia to hold elections during the pandemic. South Korea (ROK) holds parliamentary elections in April. Social distancing rules limited campaigning and no party demonstrations were allowed.

However, there are only 2.65 million voters in Singapore. Electoral administrators rely on fast and hygienic elections to minimize the risk of infection. Voters must self-scan ID cards, clean their hands, and wear disposable gloves before receiving ballots.

Singapore is one of the countries with the lowest COVID-19 death rate in the world. Initially the country received praise for its efforts to tackle COVID-19. But the outbreak in the cramped migrant worker dormitories tarnished that success, prompting the government to close schools and businesses for longer.

In power since independence in 1965, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is expected to bring Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong back to power. Lee Hsien Loong is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, who was the founder of Singapore.

PM Lee Hsien Loong has held his post since 2004, but at 68 he intends to retire in the coming years. Then, Lee Hsien Loong hinted that he would postpone his retirement to deal with the corona virus outbreak and its economic impact.

As concerns about immigration and employment flared in 2011, the PAP surveyed a record low of 60 percent of the vote and tightened international hiring rules to overcome voter sensitivity. As Asia's trade and financial hub faces its deepest recession due to the pandemic, these concerns have once again surfaced.

Eleven parties competed in the 2020 Singapore elections. Political analysts say opposition parties tend to view themselves as PAP domination but do not offer a viable alternative government.