I think the opposition parties are paranoid about election changes. Every time the Government makes changes regarding election matter, they think only of the negative - the PAP is scheming against them and any change will always be to their disadvantage.
Let us look at recent changes:
The cooling-off day is neutral. It is not to any party’s disadvantage if it has confidence in itself and has been doing the right thing during the campaign period.
The increase in the seats for NCMP is to the oppositions’ advantage.
When we vote in a parliamentary election, we are choosing the Government. So we pick the party we have faith in; a party that we think can take good care of the Country. In the last election, probably this was what 60 plus percent of the voters who voted for the PAP thought. They wanted the PAP to run the Country.
Does it mean that the 30 plus % of the voters want the oppositions to govern the Country? I would say not all of them. These voters can be divided into two groups, A and B. Group A probably want the oppositions to be the Government whereas Group B only want some opposition MPs or they are sympathetic to oppositions and so want to give them a chance.
If you look at it this way, the percentage of voters who actually support the PAP in running the Country could be about 80%.
Now, if the NCMPs do well in parliament, more opposition candidates will be voted directly into parliament in future elections. There will be less and less NCMPs. The oppositions will also be able to attract better people and things will improve for them.
If the NCMPs do not perform well, things will remain much the same. People in Group B will still want some opposition MPs or are still willing to give them a chance.
