SINGAPORE: As the political climate intensifies in Singapore with the upcoming general elections anticipated by November 23, 2023, an interesting trend is emerging: political parties are beginning to utilize background screening firms to vet potential candidates. While this practice is not common in Singapore, industry experts suggest it could be a game-changer for preserving party reputations amid escalating public scrutiny.

Traditionally, background checks have been the domain of private companies assessing their employees rather than political parties assessing candidates. However, as social media and online scrutiny increase, the need for due diligence in candidate selection has never been more apparent. Some firms believe that employing these services could effectively shield political parties from potential scandals involving unsuitable candidates.

The Workers' Party (WP) is setting the tone for this transformation. Their Secretary-General, Pritam Singh, disclosed during a recent members' forum that the WP has engaged commercial screening firms for thorough candidate evaluations, indicating a shift in how political entities approach candidate vetting. "While no system is foolproof," Singh reassured party members, "we will do our utmost to ensure we choose the right individuals."

A Lesson in Reputation Management

The urgency for such measures is underscored by past incidents like that of WP candidate Raeesah Khan, who found herself embroiled in controversy during the 2020 general elections over inflammatory social media posts. The fallout underscores the crucial need for parties to be proactive in their candidate evaluations to preempt similar incidents.

Industry experts also emphasize that political candidates are increasingly held to a higher moral standard. As investigative practices advance, public figures' past indiscretions can easily be brought to light, posing substantial risks for political parties. "Candidates are akin to C-level executives," stated Mr. Mervyn Ho, managing director of screening firm RMI. "Any reputational damage could hurt not just the candidate but the party as well."

With Singaporeans navigating various foreign interests, firms like Kroll suggest that political parties must consider candidates' international backgrounds during assessments to ensure a standout selection process.

Why Background Checks?

The rationale for this new practice is straightforward: It helps foster a degree of separation between political parties and potential candidates’ past controversies. By showcasing that careful scrutiny has been applied, parties can protect their public image and fortify trust among constituents. Moreover, engaging an independent third-party service inherently boosts the credibility of the screening process.

How Screening Works: A Quick Dive Into the Process

Candidates willingly participate in the screening, which typically takes about two weeks, with processes affecting things like financial health and any litigious pasts. Surprisingly, reports from screening firms indicate that around 30% of profiles may exhibit some irregularity, such as misleading credentials or social media issues. Imagine the fallout if such discrepancies were relevant to a candidate in a public-facing role!

Unbeknownst to many, the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) notes that they employ various screening methods but acknowledges no process is infallible. Meanwhile, the Singapore Democratic Party revealed they have yet to adopt the practice, relying on the long-standing affiliations of most candidates.

As Singapore gears up for its future, this growing trend of thorough candidate vetting presents an essential mechanism for parties to uphold their integrity and reassure voters of their commitment to transparency. Could this be the dawn of a new era in Singaporean politics? Only time will tell!