Police may consider on—site measures for outdoor rallies

SINGAPORE: Singapore Police Force will continue to refine its rules, regulations and penalties to ensure that election candidates, agents and permit holders take the permit conditions seriously and adhere strictly to all permit conditions for outdoor rallies.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said for parties and candidates who persist in flouting the permit conditions despite numerous reminders, the Police will consider requiring the permit holder to put in place on—site measures to ensure election meetings end on time.

Mr Masagos was replying to a question in Parliament on Tuesday.

He said one such possibility is to have power supply controlled by an automatic timer.

Police will also consider requiring parties or candidates to provide a deposit which could be forfeited should any breach of permit conditions occur.

Mr Masagos said between 2001 and 2012, there were 31 breaches of the rules and regulations governing outdoor rallies by contesting parties during the various elections.

The breaches involved the failure to comply with the rally permit conditions.

Some examples of breaches include not meeting the specifications of barricades, not providing sufficient lighting at rally sites, poor crowd management and exceeding the ending time of the rally.

Mr Masagos said permit holders were issued police warnings for these breaches.

— CNA/de