Suffrage In Singapore Is A Paradox
I am still perplexed as to why Singaporeans can not vote at the age of eighteen. Let us dwell deeper into this issue.
Background
Singaporeans are only allowed to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections when they are twenty one years old.
Argument
I certainly do not agree with such rules and regulations. Male Singaporeans are obliged to undergo National Service once they turn eighteen under the Enlistment Act. In National Service (Full) (NSF) as well as reservist call-up, with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), guys are made to learn how to handle, maintain and fire weapons such as the AR15, M16, SAR21, Taurus revolver, H&K MP5, etc and also operate military vehicles. Certainly, these devices, both at the wrong and right hands, can alter lives. However, why can not they on the other hand vote? In another words, why are male Singaporeans, as well as our female counterparts, denied suffrage at the age of eighteen? Just like handling weapons and military vehicles, voting too can alter lives.
PAP's Possible Reasons
I would be certain that one of the main reasons that the PAP would dish out would be 'maturity'. If we are not mature enough to vote at the age of eighteen, what makes the PAP think that we are mature enough to handle weapons and military vehicles at that age too?
Can not the PAP see that voting is part of National Service in a sense that we are also providing service to our beloved republic by voting to determine who lead our country to glory, success and development?
Another Issue About Voting
If the PAP would not allow us to vote when we turn eighteen, why then make voting mandatory and compulsory in which failing to do so, one will be subjected to persecution? This is very paradoxical. In one hand you deny people to vote and on the other, you force people to vote. Voting is supposed to be our rights in which we the citizens of Singapore have the rights to vote, not to participate or even to veto upon turning eighteen.
Anyway, who oversees our electoral department? Are they civil servants? Are they neutral? Who vote for them to be in that department. Period.
Background
Singaporeans are only allowed to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections when they are twenty one years old.
Argument
I certainly do not agree with such rules and regulations. Male Singaporeans are obliged to undergo National Service once they turn eighteen under the Enlistment Act. In National Service (Full) (NSF) as well as reservist call-up, with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), guys are made to learn how to handle, maintain and fire weapons such as the AR15, M16, SAR21, Taurus revolver, H&K MP5, etc and also operate military vehicles. Certainly, these devices, both at the wrong and right hands, can alter lives. However, why can not they on the other hand vote? In another words, why are male Singaporeans, as well as our female counterparts, denied suffrage at the age of eighteen? Just like handling weapons and military vehicles, voting too can alter lives.
PAP's Possible Reasons
I would be certain that one of the main reasons that the PAP would dish out would be 'maturity'. If we are not mature enough to vote at the age of eighteen, what makes the PAP think that we are mature enough to handle weapons and military vehicles at that age too?
Can not the PAP see that voting is part of National Service in a sense that we are also providing service to our beloved republic by voting to determine who lead our country to glory, success and development?
Another Issue About Voting
If the PAP would not allow us to vote when we turn eighteen, why then make voting mandatory and compulsory in which failing to do so, one will be subjected to persecution? This is very paradoxical. In one hand you deny people to vote and on the other, you force people to vote. Voting is supposed to be our rights in which we the citizens of Singapore have the rights to vote, not to participate or even to veto upon turning eighteen.
Anyway, who oversees our electoral department? Are they civil servants? Are they neutral? Who vote for them to be in that department. Period.
Labels: 18, 21, election, electoral department, irony, NS, PAP, paradox, rights, Singapore, suffrage
posted by kingcrippler at
4:30 am
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