Singapore’s Political Parties Urged to Embrace Candidate Screening

The call for more stringent candidate screening in Singapore's political landscape has gained momentum as the country prepares for its upcoming general election, which must be held by November. Traditionally, candidate screening is not a common practice in Asia. However, Veremark, a global background-checking firm, is advocating for its implementation, drawing from practices in the United States and Britain where such checks are routine.

Veremark's chief executive, Daniel Callaghan, emphasized the importance of these checks. He noted that while Veremark had not previously screened political parties in Asia, their procedures are standard in Western countries. The push for increased transparency and due diligence comes as industry insiders highlight the need for more comprehensive vetting processes.

Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition in Singapore and head of the Workers' Party, addressed the topic at a recent members' forum. He revealed that his party had enlisted commercial vendors to assist in candidate screening and personality reviews. Singh acknowledged that while these measures are not foolproof, they represent the party's commitment to thorough vetting.

"Of course, none of these measures are foolproof, nor can they guarantee that all previous infractions of an individual will come to light. It is important that I set this expectation. But the party will do our best." – Pritam Singh

Despite these efforts, Singh cautioned that no screening procedure could entirely ensure all past misdeeds would surface. Nevertheless, he affirmed the Workers' Party's dedication to maintaining rigorous standards in their selection process.

The move towards more extensive candidate screening reflects a broader trend within Singapore's political sphere. As the general election approaches, political parties are under increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability. The engagement of commercial vendors by the Workers' Party is a step towards aligning with international practices.

Veremark's involvement highlights a potential shift in how Asian political parties might approach candidate vetting. While this practice is not yet widespread across the region, the example set by Singapore could serve as a catalyst for other countries.