It is an extraordinary thing.  Half a world away we can feel the political momentum of the opposition in Singapore.  Thanks to a beautiful ode to political activism and life by Xenoboy, and incisive critiques by Singabloodypore, and Singapore Election Watch, and Yawning Bread, and Chemical Generation Singapore, and New Sintercom, and many, many other sites, we can sense a real possibility for a historic breakthrough for Singaporean democracy come election day on Saturday. 

     But if I can sense that possibility here in rural Massachusetts, then, certainly, the PAP leadership can sense it, too.  It may be that their old forms of repression – libel suits, character assassination, corrupt use of public funds to support their political fortunes, instilling fear in the population at large – are running out of steam.  Of course they will control the Parliament, but the opposition may have more seats than it has in decades.  And that will be seen as a clear slap in the face of "minilee" Lee Hsien Loong and his recalcitrant "Dr. Evil" father Lee Kuan Yew.  They will claim a mandate, but it will be hollow and false.  If the opposition wins six seats or more, it will be a mark of the Lee’s failure.

    So, we must assume the worst, since the PAP system rests not on the rule of law, but the rule of Lee.  If they can see a symbolic defeat coming, they may turn to other nefarious political means.  The PAP controls the election authorities.  We have to assume that they will use that control, if they are facing an embarrassment, and manipulate the vote counting.

     Singaporeans, what can you do to ensure a fair vote count?  Who will be watching the counters?  How can fairness be secured?  We know the Lees are quite willing to debase the law in their struggle for political dominance.  How can you make sure they do not take their corruption to a new level?