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Originally Posted by TheIdesOfMarch
Actually no. If they do election anytime now till when the pandemic is fully under control, they can get ready to be hammered hard. We would be talking about them losing at least three or four GRCs and maybe the same number of SMCs. It would be a total disaster for the PAP. Sinkies might like to pwn Sinkies but even we aren't stupid to government playing games like this. Calling an election now would go against every single social distancing and quarantine effort being exhorted by the government.
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Good reasoning bro. Let me offer my take.
Timing - The virus will blow over, no doubt, but at this point in time, it doesn't seem a short term issue and could last for months. PAP has to call for an election by Apr next year if I am not mistaken. Granted the whole thing could be called (dissolve parliament, etc) and done within a couple of months...which brings me to the next point.
Next year's planning - Gov FY starts at Apr. Planning goes way before. Uncertainty doesn't allow planning. No matter how complacent PAP is, (I hope) they should realise you need to plan buffer jic some ministars and/or ministars wannabes get votes out. They need to put appointments in place way before the planning.
Perception over reality - (That's what the media is for). Plant the seeds/reception of necessity in people's minds. "We need to get the mandate, get this election over and done with and move on together through the crisis". Two, social distancing is more perception than reality. The recommended distance is 6 feet (1.8m). Does it look like in reality this is feasible? NTUC draws a few lines for queues in its checkout queues and says ok, you are safe distance now and the newspapers crow "Wow, NTUC the best". The distance apart is barely 0.5m apart. Do the same thing at voting centres, space the booths a bit further apart, allocate "designated voting timings" and there you go.
Now is as good as any -The timeline is tight as established just now. And let's face it: The economy (PAP's Trump card) is gonna get hammered. When times are better, they can't run away from the figures.
More mistakes from 4G - The longer you drag, the more chances of faux pas by the 4G clowns. CCS and his cohort shooting their mouths off. Minimise potential damage and lock in the 5 years first.
Recency goodies effect - While people still remember the goodies, milk it. People's memories are short.
I think Sinkies have been aware of PAP's dirty tricks for years. That's what education brings you - insight and opinion. CCS was actually right in saying if you don't believ them, you won't believe them. The trick is never to talk to the opposition voters or the PAP voters. Their minds are already made up no matter what happens, it is always the so-called swing voters. If they can manage perception right, they will know how to exploit the virus, even in the thick of it. Necessity for mandate, lack of credible alternatives.
Truth be told, I think the new 4G are a bunch of clowns.
That's my take.