SINGAPORE'S opposition parties have unanimously opposed the proposal to have a 'cooling-off' day before Polling Day, during which no electoral campaigning will be allowed.
A number of them say the change will give the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) an unfair advantage through its use of the mass media.
Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang pointed out that the PAP can especially turn to TV to campaign, by disguising it as 'news' items from the Government.
'This will effectively give the ruling party an extra day of campaigning to the disadvantage of the opposition,' he said.
The opposition also argues that Singaporeans are rational voters and that opposition rallies are not prone to pose public disorder concerns.
PAP MPs, however, rebut the charge, saying the change is designed to benefit voters most, by giving them time to process information or messages received earlier during an intense campaign period.
