I sent this letter to the Straits Times, but they declined to publish it.

28 January 2013

Editor
Forum Page
Straits Times

I understand that our election regulations allow any of the candidates to request for a recount if the 

difference between the candidate with the most votes and that for any other candidate is two percent or less

than the total number of votes cast. 

The results of the Punggol East by-election held on 26 January was earlier scheduled to be announced

by 10 pm. but was delayed due presumably to a recount. I had, therefore, expected to results to be quite close, 

with a margin of less than two percent between the top two contestants.

I was surprised that the margin was more than 10 percent. 

I like to ask the Election Department, if there was indeed a recount, and the reason why it was allowed, 

in infringement of the election regulation? If there was no recount, why did the results take so long to be 

announced?

Tan Kin Lian