Political parties

Besides the ruling PAP, the other major political parties were the Workers' Party of Singapore (WP) led by Low Thia Khiang, the Singapore People's Party (SPP) led by Chiam See Tong, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) led by Steve Chia, and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) led by Chee Soon Juan, who himself was ineligible to run in this election because of a 2002 conviction.^[6]

Four parties, including the SPP and the NSP, contested the election as members of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).

Election deposit

For this election, the deposit for each candidate was set at S$13,500 (approximately US$8,590 or £4,620) which was about 8% of the total annual salary to a member of parliament in the preceding year, rounded to the nearest S$500. The regulations of the elections stated that the deposit was to be forfeited if the candidate failed to obtain at least one-eighth of the votes.^[7]

Electorate

All citizens at least 21 years of age, based on the Registers of Electors, were eligible to vote. The Elections Department had completed its revision of the Registers and made them available for public inspection from 17 January through 30 January 2006.^[8] There were 2,158,439 eligible voters.^[9] The 2006 election was the first election where more than half the electorate were of the post-independence generation, i.e., those born after Singapore's independence in 1965.

For the first time in Singapore's election history, Singaporeans living overseas were able to vote at designated polling stations located within Singapore's High Commissions, Embassies or Consulates in other countries. To be qualified to vote overseas, they must have had either resided in Singapore for an aggregate of two of the past five years, or be overseas for reasons of employment or education related to the Singapore government.^[10] There were several overseas polling stations, namely Tokyo, Canberra, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. 1,017 Singaporeans had registered for overseas voting by 22 March 2006, although only 558 voted, as the rest had a walkover in their constituencies.^[9]

Electoral divisions

On 3 March 2006, the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee published the updated list of electoral divisions. There were fourteen Group Representation Constituencies (GRC), each with five or six seats, and nine Single Member Constituencies (SMC). The total number of seats remained the same at 84 as the previous general election in 2001, but there are some minor changes and tweaks. The two opposition held SMCs, Hougang SMC and Potong Pasir SMC were intact. Also unchanged was the Chua Chu Kang SMC which saw a close contest in the previous election between the ruling PAP's Low Seow Chay and NSP's Steve Chia. The boundaries for the five Group Representation Constituencies (namely Bishan–Toa Payoh, Hong Kah, Jalan Besar, Jurong and Tampines) were also intact.

Singapore Electoral Boundaries, released in March 2006.

The changes made in the constituencies were:

Election issues

As in previous elections, bread and butter issues including jobs, medical care and cost of living dominated the election campaign.^[11] Other major election issues are listed in the following.^[12][13]

• Social
  • Integrated Resorts and legalisation of casino gambling^[12]
  • Education policy^[12][13]
  • Public transport^[12]
  • Public housing policy^[13]
  • Lift Upgrading Programme(LUP)^[13]
• Governance
  • Progress package and Budget 2006^[12]
  • Group representation constituency system^[12]
  • Central Provident Fund scheme^[12]
  • Internal Security Act and civil liberties^[12]
  • Ministerial pay^[12]
• Others
  • National Kidney Foundation Singapore scandal^[14]
  • Integrity of the candidates, such as the James Gomez incident^[15]

Dissolution of Parliament

On 20 April 2006, Parliament was dissolved by President Sellapan Ramanathan on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.^[16] Later that day, the President issued the writ of election and the government announced that the election would be held on Saturday, 6 May 2006, with nomination day on Thursday, 27 April 2006. The Returning Officer was to be Tan Boon Huat, Chief Executive Director of the People's Association.^[17]

New/outgoing candidates

A total of 49 candidates made their debut among which include notable PAP candidates include Grace Fu, Lui Tuck Yew, Josephine Teo and Masagos Zulkifli, while WP introduced their party's chairwoman Sylvia Lim (who would later become the first-ever female opposition MP-elect in the next election), as well as James Gomez (now SDP member) and Goh Meng Seng (who later founded the People's Power Party).

A total 24 candidates did not seek re-election, among which were former cabinet ministers Lee Yock Suan and former Speaker of Parliament Tan Soo Khoon, as well as Tan Cheng Bock and Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Tony Tan, though they would later return to compete in the 2011 presidential election five years later in which the latter won; the former would later return to the political fray in the 2020 elections as a founder of Progress Singapore Party.

Budget day and progress package

On 17 February 2006, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was also Minister for Finance and Secretary General of the PAP, delivered the country's Budget Statement to the Parliament. He released details of a S$2.6 billion "progress package" including S$500 million for Central Provident Fund top-ups, S$400 million for workfare bonuses, and S$200 million bonuses for national servicemen. Largely due to this package, the 2006 Budget incurred a deficit of S$2.86 billion.^[18][19]

Low Thia Khiang (WP) came out strongly against the progress package which he said was no more than a vote-winning tool for the PAP. Low called for greater transparency on how the government intend to finance the package and to compensate for the budget shortfall. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng (PAP) later dismissed claims that the progress package constitutes a form of vote buying.^[20]

Workers' Party manifesto

The Workers' Party (WP) was the first party to launch an update to its manifesto on 14 January 2006.^[21] Among its policy proposals, WP called for the Presidency to revert to its former ceremonial role and the abolishment of the GRCs,^[22] the Ethnic Integration Policy for Housing and Development Board flats, the Resident Committees and the Citizen Consultative Committees. It also revealed its intentions to establish a central agency in the provision of public transport, set up of a national unemployment insurance scheme and a more comprehensive national health insurance scheme among a host of other things.

On 21 January, PAP made various criticisms on the WP's proposals, describing four of their proposals as "four time bombs...[which] will weaken and tear Singapore apart".^[23] Khaw Boon Wan, revealed various changes in medical policies, including the Medisave scheme, which had been a constant target for criticism by opposition parties. He also chided the WP for its "failure to understand what makes inter-racialism work in Singapore and why we are different from the rest of the world", referring the four points brought up by Ng Eng Hen as "poisons"^[24] Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim released a press statement^[25] on 22 January, responding to each of the four "time bombs" criticised by Ng and adding that the party was standing firmly by its manifesto.^[26]

Goh Chok Tong's special assignment

Goh Chok Tong of the PAP, speaking at a rally at Potong Pasir SMC. The banner behind him shows the campaign slogan of the party, "Staying Together, Moving Ahead".

On 19 March, Lee Hsien Loong said that PAP was aiming to win all the constituencies including the two opposition wards in Hougang SMC and Potong Pasir SMC, stating that "We want to win, this is not masak-masak [a Malay term meaning a child's game]".^[27] The PAP candidates for these two wards were respectively previously-contested candidates Eric Low and Sitoh Yih Pin respectively, and both candidates had been working the ground in these wards since along with assistance by Goh Chok Tong who had been given the special assignment to help the PAP win the two wards.^[28]

Goh had suggested that if Low and Sitoh won the election, they would be given extra latitude when speaking and voting in parliament and not be subjected to the political Whip, and he would also help Sitoh to gain a post in the new Cabinet if elected.^[29] Hougang and Potong Pasir residents were also promised housing upgrades worth $100 million and $80 million respectively if PAP was to retake the two seats as both of these constituencies have not been selected for housing upgrades or provided with lifts that stop on every floor due to the constituencies being held by the opposition. When the PAP shaved Low's vote share from 58% to 55% in the 2001 General Election, Goh offered to upgrade Hougang estate if the share was reduced to 52%.

Remarks in The New Democrat

In April 2006, the SDP published an article headlined "Govt's role in the NKF scandal" in the SDP party newspaper The New Democrat regarding the National Kidney Foundation Singapore scandal. On 22 April, letters of demand were served on twelve members of the SDP and the publisher. Drew and Napier, the law firm acting for Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Kuan Yew, said that the newspaper article had alleged that the two Lees were "dishonest and unfit for office", that Lee Kuan Yew "devised a corrupt political system for the benefit of the political elite", and that he managed the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation in a "corrupt manner". In addition, according to the letter of demand, the newspaper also alleged that Lee Hsien Loong had "perpetuated a corrupt political system for the benefit of the political elite" and how he and his Government "had access to the information which has now been unearthed about NKF but corruptly concealed and covered up the facts to avoid criticism".^[30] The letters demanded that damages be paid and an apology made in the media by 25 April.^[14]

Four of SDP's eleven committee members apologized shortly after, while the party's chairman refused to do so, as it would constitute "an admission of guilt". An apology had been formally rejected by the party, though the party would not oppose individual members making personal apologies. M Ravi, the lawyer representing most of the accused, had rejected claims made in the letters that allegations made in the paper were "highly defamatory", and he "[does] not see how a government or public body could be defamed". On 27 April, Chee said that the threat of legal action was already seriously affecting SDP's campaign at Sembawang GRC: "Lawyers for Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Lee Hsien Loong have gone as far as to sue the printer, so much so that he is so frightened he dares not publish our election material."^[31] SDP was still seen selling the publication, and the Lees were seeking aggravated damages; the Chee siblings however, have yet to do so.^[32][33]

SDP podcast

On 25 April, the Elections Department warned SDP that it would take action against the party if they did not remove audio files and podcasts from the party's website, as they were against election advertising regulations under the Parliamentary Elections Act. Within hours after the notice was issued, SDP posted a notice on its website that the podcast service was suspended.^[34]

Planning for nomination day by political parties

As early as January 2006, when it became clear that the election would be held soon, the political parties began making definitive plans for Nomination Day.^{[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]}

On 10 March 2006, major opposition parties hosted a meeting, after which they announced their intention to contest 57 of the 84 seats in Parliament,^[43] but full details of the opposition's plan was not revealed until Nomination Day itself. Steve Chia told reporters, "Any self-respecting politician will hold his cards close to his chest."^[44]

There were nine Single Member Constituencies for the election. For smaller political parties and independents who do not have sufficient candidates and resources to contest the GRCs, the SMCs were the only constituencies that they could afford to run; many analysts cited that opposition candidates stand a greater chance of winning in SMCs as compared to GRCs, and all nine SMCs were expecting contests. The opposition tried to avoid three-cornered fights by co-ordinating with each other. Chiam See Tong (SPP) said that "if we enter into one [three-cornered fight], we're only going to kill ourselves. We're not that stupid."^[45]

In March 2006, it was thought that there could be a potential three-way contest in MacPherson SMC, where both Mansor Rahman, Chairman of Democratic Progressive Party, and Sin Kek Tong, Chairman of Singapore People's Party, cited interest to run for that seat, but both members eventually chose not to contest. Tan Lead Shake, ex-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member, later joined the National Solidarity Party (NSP) (under the banner in Singapore Democratic Alliance), and became a member of SDA's team contesting Tampines GRC.

As of 26 April 2006, the opposition had indicated that they would contest at least half of the seats in the 84 member Parliament; 47 PAP candidates standing for election with 10 new candidates facing the opposition. Candidates standing for election had only an hour to present their nomination papers and must be accompanied by their proposers, seconders and assentors. Observers projected that the other 37 candidates from seven Group Representative Constituencies would return unopposed and the PAP would be denied a majority on nomination day,^[46] an eventuality that proved to be true.

Early announcement of intention by parties

Some of the opposition parties, such as Workers' Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance, adopted the strategy of announcing early their plans on which constituencies they intended to contest prior to announced changes in electoral boundaries, as a tactical move to earmark those divisions to discourage any third party from contesting in the same divisions leading to three-cornered fights. Another cited reason was that, if the Government electoral commission redrew those boundaries, the opposition would be able to exploit such actions by accusing the PAP of gerrymandering to avoid the ballot challenge.^[47]

Nomination day results

Electoral map showing the various contests. The PAP fielded candidates in all 84 seats, with 37 seats (shown in blue) won as walkovers on nomination day. The battlegrounds were the remaining 47 seats contested by WP (yellow), SDA (red), and SDP (green).

On nomination day^[4] 47 candidates representing the opposition (a large increase of 29 candidates from the previous election) contested 16 constituencies; all contests were between the PAP and one opposition party, which marked the first (and to-date, the only) election with no three-cornered fights. For the first time since 1980, no independent candidates participated in this election, which was a rare occurrence as independent candidates had participated in every election since 1955.. For the first time since 1988, the total number of uncontested seats (37) from the seven GRCs were less than the majority of the parliament (42 out of 84 seats), and the ruling PAP was not returned to power on nomination day. The Elections Department also announced that over 1.2 million Singaporeans, 56.6% of eligible voters, would be able to cast votes.

Diversity of candidates

Notably, all 18 candidates contested in SMCs were male Chinese. On 28 April, Lee Kuan Yew (PAP) referred to this fact when defending the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system on the grounds that it ensures minority and women representation in parliament, although there is no prerequisites on GRCs having at least one female candidate.^[48]

Over the years, each GRC team has been steadily increased by the government from three to at least five members. WP had called for the abolishment of the GRC system which it considered as a means introduced by the PAP to make it difficult for opposition who lack sufficient resource to contest the large electoral division.

James Gomez saga

Controversy arose during the election surrounding the application for a minority-race candidate certificate by James Gomez of Workers' Party.^[54] On 24 April, Gomez went to the Elections Department to fill up the minority-race candidate certificate application form accompanied by the chairperson Sylvia Lim. Instead of handing in the application form to election official, Gomez slipped the form in his bag and went off for an interview. At the time, Sylvia Lim had gone to a waiting area and did not witness the event.

On the eve of Nomination Day, James Gomez went to collect his minority-race candidate certificate claiming he had submitted the application form. After failing to get the certificate, Gomez warned an elections officer of the "consequences". At 1 pm that day, an Elections Department staff called Gomez and told him that he did not submit the Indian and minority candidate certificate form. During the call, which was recorded, Gomez changed his story and said that he would get back to them. When the media asked him about the issue, Gomez initially refused to discuss about the issue, but later conceded.^[55] Following two days of dispute between both sides, the Elections Department was able to produce video evidence showing that James Gomez did not submit the application form; a day later, James Gomez apologised to the Elections Department at a Worker's Party rally saying he was distracted by his busy schedule.^[56]

During the controversy, PAP raised questions about the credibility of Gomez. He was accused of attempting to discredit the Elections Department by claiming they misplaced the form. Two PAP leaders Wong Kan Seng and Lee Kuan Yew called Gomez a "liar" and Lee dared Gomez to sue him and Wong.^[15] George Yeo (PAP) also suggested that the Worker's Party should sack Gomez and field a four-member team for the five-member Group Representation Constituency. This was rejected by Low who asserted that PAP was trying to divert public and media attention from main election issues.^[57]

Party political broadcast

On both 29 April 2006 and 4 May 2006, the four contesting parties made their political broadcasts over television and radio in the four official languages – the English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil languages. Each party was given an allocated time based on the number of candidates it fielded. The People's Action Party (PAP) was given 12 minutes with 84 candidates fielded, the Workers' Party (WP) and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) were given 4.5 minutes each with 20 candidates fielded, and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was given 2.5 minutes with 7 candidates fielded. The SDP was represented by Chee Siok Chin, the Workers' Party by Sylvia Lim on the first broadcast and by Tan Hui Hua on the second broadcast, the SDA by Chiam See Tong on both broadcasts, with the PAP by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the first broadcast and by PAP chairman Lim Boon Heng on the second broadcast.^[58]

Debate on housing and lift upgrading

The upgrading of public housing, including the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP), was a major issue in this election.^[59] As in previous elections, PAP had tied the scheduling of housing upgrades to the number of votes the party received in the election. The PAP argued that government was successful in raising the standard of living in the country, and those who supported its various policies, including the upgrading, should be given priority. In the hotly contested Aljunied GRC, George Yeo (PAP) placed lift upgrading the "top of [his] priority list" so that the lift would stop on every floor in as many blocks as possible.^[60] Sylvia Lim (WP) accused the PAP of being selective in its upgrading programmes, arguing that this was a divisive policy.^[61]

Large turnout at opposition election rallies

The election featured large turnouts at some of the election rallies of the opposition parties, which was unheard of since the 1980s. A report by Malaysian press The Star estimated that around 10,000 people attended the Workers' Party rally on 30 April at Hougang.^[62] At the last rally of the Workers' Party at Serangoon Stadium on 5 May, the audience filled up most of the field and even spilled outside the stadium. However, the local media did not report on the large turnout at all, prompting criticism of the credibility of the Singapore media on local political issues.

The PAP dismissed the significance of the crowds, suggesting that crowd size would not necessarily translate into votes.^[62]

A large number of supporters turned up at the last Worker's Party Rally for Aljunied GRC, filling up much of the field in Serangoon Stadium.

By constituency

Results of 2006 Singapore general election
Division	Seats	Voters	Party	Candidate(s)	Votes	Votes %
Single Member Constituency (SMC) (9 seats)
Bukit Panjang SMC	1	30,452	People's Action Party	Teo Ho Pin	21,652	77.18 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Party	Ling How Doong	6,400	22.82 / 100
Chua Chu Kang SMC	1	24,975	People's Action Party	Gan Kim Yong	14,156	60.37 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Steve Chia	9,292	39.63 / 100
Hougang SMC	1	23,759	Workers' Party	Low Thia Khiang	13,989	62.74 / 100
			People's Action Party	Eric Low	8,308	37.26 / 100
Joo Chiat SMC	1	21,858	People's Action Party	Chan Soo Sen	12,226	65.01 / 100
			Workers' Party	Tan Bin Seng	6,580	34.99 / 100
MacPherson SMC	1	21,041	People's Action Party	Matthias Yao	13,184	68.28 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Sin Kek Tong	6,067	31.52 / 100
Nee Soon Central SMC	1	23,152	People's Action Party	Ong Ah Heng	14,211	65.37 / 100
			Workers' Party	Lian Chin Way	7,529	34.63 / 100
Nee Soon East SMC	1	32,586	People's Action Party	Ho Peng Kee	20,949	68.72 / 100
			Workers' Party	Poh Lee Guan	9,535	31.28 / 100
Potong Pasir SMC	1	15,888	Singapore Democratic Alliance	Chiam See Tong	8,245	55.82 / 100
			People's Action Party	Sitoh Yih Pin	6,527	44.18 / 100
Yio Chu Kang SMC	1	25,072	People's Action Party	Seng Han Thong	15,726	68.28 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Yip Yew Weng	7,307	31.72 / 100
Group Representation Constituency (GRC) (75 seats)
Aljunied GRC	5	145,141	People's Action Party	Cynthia Phua George Yeo Yong-Boon Lim Hwee Hua Yeo Guat Kwang Zainul Abidin Bin Mohamed Rasheed	74,843	56.09 / 100
			Workers' Party	Goh Meng Seng James Gomez Sylvia Lim Mohammed Rahizan Bin Yaacob Tan Wui-Hua	58,593	43.91 / 100
Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC	5	115,323	People's Action Party	Hri Kumar Sangaran Ng Eng Hen Wong Kan Seng Josephine Teo Zainudin Bin Nordin	Uncontested Walkover
East Coast GRC	5	116,653	People's Action Party	Abdullah Tarmugi Shunmugam Jayakumar Jessica Tan Lee Yi Shyan Raymond Lim	66,931	63.86 / 100
			Workers' Party	Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman Brandon Siow Chia Ti Lik Eric Tan Perry Tong	37,873	36.14 / 100
Holland–Bukit Timah GRC	5	118,155	People's Action Party	Christopher de Souza Foo Yee Shoon Liang Eng Hwa Lim Swee Say Vivian Balakrishnan	Uncontested Walkover
Hong Kah GRC	5	144,677	People's Action Party	Amy Khor Ang Mong Seng Yeo Cheow Tong Alvin Yeo Zaqy B Mohamad	Uncontested Walkover
Jalan Besar GRC	5	93,025	People's Action Party	Denise Phua Heng Chee How Lee Boon Yang Lily Neo Yaacob Ibrahim	58,913	69.26 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Cheo Chai Chen Reno Fong Muhamad Ali Aman Sebastian Teo Vincent Yeo	26,151	30.74 / 100
Jurong GRC	5	116,636	People's Action Party	Grace Fu Halimah Bte Yacob Lim Boon Heng Ong Chit Chung Tharman Shanmugaratnam	Uncontested Walkover
Tampines GRC	5	126,163	People's Action Party	Mah Bow Tan Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad Irene Ng Phek Hoong Ong Kian Min Sin Boon Ann	80,376	68.51 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Abdul Rahman bin Mohamad Arthero Lim Ng Say Eng Ong Hock Siong Tan Lead Shake	36,948	31.49 / 100
West Coast GRC	5	137,739	People's Action Party	Fong Jen Arthur Cederic Foo Madeleine Ho S Iswaran Lim Hng Kiang	Uncontested Walkover
Tanjong Pagar GRC	6	148,141	People's Action Party	Baey Yam Keng Indranee Thurai Rajah Koo Tsai Kee Lee Kuan Yew Lui Tuck Yew Tan Chin Siong	Uncontested Walkover
Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC	6	178,443	People's Action Party	Ahmad Bin Mohd Magad Charles Chong Michael Anthony Palmer Penny Low Teo Chee Hean Teo Ser Luck	113,322	68.70 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Alliance	Ishak Bin Haroun Desmond Lim Lineker Lee Mohd Hamim Bin Aliyas Elvin Ong Yen Kim Khooi	51,618	31.30 / 100
Sembawang GRC	6	184,804	People's Action Party	Ellen Lee Hawazi Daipi K Shanmugam Khaw Boon Wan Lim Wee Kiak Mohd Maliki Osman	130,170	76.70 / 100
			Singapore Democratic Party	Chee Siok Chin Christopher Neo Francis Yong Gerald Sng Mohd Isa Abdul Aziz Narayanasamy Gogelavany	39,537	23.30 / 100
Marine Parade GRC	6	155,149	People's Action Party	Fatimah Lateef Goh Chok Tong Lim Biow Chuan Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Ong Seh Hong Seah Kian Peng	Uncontested Walkover
Ang Mo Kio GRC	6	159,872	People's Action Party	Inderjit Singh Lam Pin Min Lee Bee Wah Lee Hsien Loong Balaji Sadasivan Wee Siew Kim	96,636	66.14 / 100
			Workers' Party	Abdul Salim Bin Harun Gopal Krishnan Han Su May Lee Wai Leng Melvin Tan Kian Hwee Yaw Shin Leong	49,479	33.86 / 100

Non-Constituency Member of Parliament

Elections Department announced that the Workers' Party team for Aljunied GRC received the highest share of votes among losing constituencies with 43.9%, and the party was allowed to appoint a member as Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, replacing Steve Chia. The Central Executive Committee voted for Sylvia Lim with nine in favour and one opposed. Lim would not represent any constituency but she said she was looking forward to the opportunity to fulfil her obligation to supporters and also to voice people's concerns.^[63]

Detaining and questioning of Gomez

On 7 May, Gomez was detained by police at Singapore Changi Airport when he was about to take a flight to Sweden for work. The police were investigating an "alleged offences of criminal intimidation and providing false information". The Elections Department had earlier filed a police report regarding the incident during the election period in which Gomez spoke to an election official in a threatening tone, an episode that was caught on closed-circuit television. Gomez was brought to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Police Cantonment Complex for questioning and to file his statement, after which he was released at midnight.^[64] His passport was impounded by the police to prevent him from leaving the country and his air ticket was forfeited as it was non-refundable. He also suffered a loss of income due to his absence from work.

On that night, Sylvia Lim and Low Thia Khiang were also asked to give statements at the CID. On 9 May, Gomez was called again to CID for a questioning session that lasted five hours. Gomez later told the media that he was giving the police "the fullest cooperation."^[65]

After three questioning sessions, Gomez was let off with a stern warning by the police who issued a statement stating that the public prosecutor was satisfied that Gomez had committed the offence of using threatening words towards a civil servant but the police decided to release Gomez as he had no prior criminal records.^[66] His passport was returned to him and he left for Sweden on 16 May.

Chee Siok Chin's challenge of polling results

New cabinet

The new cabinet was inaugurated on 30 May 2006. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reveal lineup in which Raymond Lim relinquished his roles as Second Minister for Finance and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office for a new ministerial portfolio for Transport succeeding Yeo Cheow Tong. Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam was given another role as Second Minister for Finance, while Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan was given a second post as Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts as he relinquished his Second Minister for Trade and Industry.

Five new candidates, Lui Tuck Yew, Lee Yi Shyan, Grace Fu, Teo Ser Luck and Masagos Zulkifli, along with three returning MPs, S Iswaran, Amy Khor and Zainudin Nordin, were promoted as Minister of State or Parliamentary secretaries in political office.

Senior Minister of State Balaji Sadasivan relinquished his position as Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Health for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, but remained as Senior Minister for State for the MICA. Heng Chee How took Balaji's place as Senior Minister of State for Health; he relinquished his appointments in the Ministry of National Development and Mayor for the Central Community Development Council. Zainul Abidin Rasheed was appointed Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Koo Tsai Kee as Minister of State for Defence.^[67]

Regulations

An article in Today newspaper on 18 March 2006 describes the issues concerning political websites during election period. Anonymous bloggers are depicted as faces covered by paper bags.

Regulation of political content online was an issue throughout the election period. The Media Development Authority (MDA) had reminded Internet content providers to comply with the law of Singapore, including those relating to political content. Online bloggers and podcasts are subject to the Parliamentary Elections Act.^[72][73]

In a notification issued by MDA under the Broadcasting Act,^[74] all political websites are required to register with the MDA. These websites include those belonging to political parties as well as to "individuals, groups, organisations and corporations engaged in providing any programme for the propagation, promotion or discussion of political or religious issues relating to Singapore on the World Wide Web through the Internet."^[75] A MDA spokesperson said that only a handful of websites have registered and that they mostly belonged to political parties or registered political associations.

Political analyst Cherian George noted that the regulation would hinder the development of citizen journalism in Singapore.^[76] A number of bloggers and political commentators had noted that the rules are too broadly defined and were unsure how they would be enforced. They protested that this was a violation of freedom of speech. A candidate Goh Meng Seng (WP) refused to register his blog, saying "I don't see the need to do so as an individual citizen. We have our rights to our political views."^[77]

In a parliament session on 3 April 2006, Balaji Sadasivan, the senior minister of state for information, communications and the arts, made some clarification on the regulation in response to a question by Low Thia Khiang. Balaji said that podcasting and streaming of videos were prohibited during the election. On the other hand, pictures of election candidates, political party histories and manifestos were allowed to be used as election advertising on the Internet. He added that bloggers who persistently promoted political views had to register with the MDA. During elections, only political parties, candidates and election agents are allowed to advertise. Balaji warned that those who violate the rules would face prosecution, and said "In a free-for-all internet environment, where there are no rules, political debate could easily degenerate into an unhealthy, unreliable and dangerous discourse, flush with rumours and distortions to mislead and confuse the public."^[78] The regulation of political content on the Internet had previously led to the closing down of a popular discussion forum website Sintercom in 2001, after the owner refused to register with the authority and voluntarily shut down his website.^[79] Additionally, publication of election surveys during the election period or exit polls was banned.^[73]