In the coming election, PAP has been stressing about voting for the right candidates to represent their constituencies. However, I feel that it is a rather strange proposition coming from the party as the systems it has created seem to have forced the voters to choose political parties over candidates. It's like they have shot themselves in the foot.
Firstly, the GRC system. I want to vote for a candidate that I like. He or she may come from any party but it should not be an influencing factor. However, if he/she is contesting in a GRC, I am forced to look at his/her team members. What if I really dislike most of the other members? Do I still vote for him/her or should I sacrifice him/her? My feel is that the people will turn their attention and look at the party they are representing, thus overlooking the characters the candidates have. This knock-on effect may just be PAP's undoing if the people decide to put any mistakes the party may have done on the candidates' accounts.
Secondly, the requirement that PAP members have to vote along party lines in bills tabled in the parliament. This caused the MPs to lose their representativeness of their voters, unable to voice the concerns their voters may have and act in their best interests or promises. Again, the people no longer see their MPs as individuals but mouthpieces for the party and government. This will make subsequent elections more difficult for the candidates, especially the newer ones.
