An HIP re-poll may raise questions if not handled sensitively, say observers

They say voting must be seen as a fair process, and views of those who voted ‘no’ should be heard

- Isabelle Liew

If not handled sensitively, the possible re-poll of two Tiong Bahru HDB blocks that narrowly missed out on the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) could raise questions about the legitimacy of the voting process, said observers.

They stressed that voting must be seen as a fair process, adding that it is also important to hear and understand the views of those who do not want HIP works to be carried out.

For one thing, the manner in which the re-poll is conducted is important, said Institute of Policy Studies deputy director and senior research fellow Christopher Gee.

“If it is done in a heavy-handed way — re-poll until you get the result you want — it sends a wrong signal to everyone looking at this as a fair exercise,” he said.

Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang said on Dec 4 that he will ask HDB to conduct a re-poll if he gets enough support from residents. He and grassroots volunteers will continue to reach out to households that did not vote in favour of HIP and address their concerns.

The two blocks in his constituency - Block 34 Kim Cheng Street and Block 35 Lim Liak Street — had failed to garner enough votes to pass the 75 per cent threshold by a narrow margin of two votes and one vote, respectively.