SINGAPORE: The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) was not aware of Mr Tan Kin Lian's social media posts before a certificate of eligibility was issued to him, and it is "not legally entitled" to change its decision.
On Monday (Aug 21), the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) voiced concerns over Mr Tan's participation in the upcoming Presidential Election, given his "history of objectifying women" on social media.
In response to media queries, the PEC said on Monday night that it was not aware of Mr Tan's posts before the eligibility certificate was issued.
"Hence, the issuing of the certificate could not have amounted to an endorsement of Mr Tan’s social media posts by the PEC," said the committee.
After the eligibility certificate has been issued, the PEC is "not legally entitled to revisit its earlier decision so as to confirm or revoke the certificate previously issued".
"Any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes."
The committee does not go through every applicant’s past social media posts before issuing or declining a certificate of eligibility, it said.
"Nevertheless, where comments made by an applicant on social media or in other media are specifically brought to the PEC’s attention before a certificate of eligibility is issued or declined, the PEC would consider them in its assessment of the applicant’s eligibility.
AWARE's statement was posted after a CNA report on Mr Tan's response to a viral TikTok video, which showed posts by the former NTUC Income chief executive about "pretty" girls.
"Consistently posting about 'pretty girls', recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light 'amusement'," the women's rights group said.
"It's an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment.
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On Monday (Aug 21), the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) voiced concerns over Mr Tan's participation in the upcoming Presidential Election, given his "history of objectifying women" on social media.
In response to media queries, the PEC said on Monday night that it was not aware of Mr Tan's posts before the eligibility certificate was issued.
"Hence, the issuing of the certificate could not have amounted to an endorsement of Mr Tan’s social media posts by the PEC," said the committee.
After the eligibility certificate has been issued, the PEC is "not legally entitled to revisit its earlier decision so as to confirm or revoke the certificate previously issued".
"Any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes."
The committee does not go through every applicant’s past social media posts before issuing or declining a certificate of eligibility, it said.
"Nevertheless, where comments made by an applicant on social media or in other media are specifically brought to the PEC’s attention before a certificate of eligibility is issued or declined, the PEC would consider them in its assessment of the applicant’s eligibility.
AWARE's statement was posted after a CNA report on Mr Tan's response to a viral TikTok video, which showed posts by the former NTUC Income chief executive about "pretty" girls.
"Consistently posting about 'pretty girls', recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light 'amusement'," the women's rights group said.
"It's an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment.
Continue reading...