Rally at Ubi field

It's a throwback to the 1950s that election campaigns in Singapore are expected to revolve around public rallies. These are burdened with all sorts of rules, such as how only candidates can speak, and how they must start at 7 pm and end at 10 pm.

The biggest beef that opposition parties have is that the locations are decided by the police, who make very few spots available. This means that members of the parties have to physically queue up for as much as 48 - 72 hours to apply for a rally permit and a location. This, in the age of the internet.

Why can't we let the parties suggest locations for themselves, yet  giving the police the right to veto any particular site on grounds of security and nuisance to neighbours (if residences are too close by)?

A good location for example would be the huge car park near the National Stadium. Unless there is a game on, it is underutilised. There are no residents around to disturb, and yet it is a very accessible location. 

But left to the police, extremely few locations are designated. It really begs the question, why? 

 © Yawning Bread