Have we come of political age?

GENERAL ELECTION
Have we come of political age? 
THE coming general election will be interesting and exciting for me as well as for the younger citizens from Generation Y.

The opposition appears to have gained strength over the years. In the 2006 General Election, opposition parties were struggling to find capable and willing candidates to contest in group representation constituencies.
This time round, opposition candidates with qualifications are popping up like mushrooms. Perhaps these candidates now see an opportune time to enter the political arena.
For me and Gen Y voters, it has been exciting sifting through the news in the mainstream media or the social media trying to decide the party and candidate or teams to vote for.
It is heartening to read the print media's more prominent coverage of opposition views compared to previous years.
Equally gratifying is the Government's relaxation of Internet rules which now allow political campaigning and podcasts. Politics in Singapore has come of age.
Unfortunately, the opposition has not seized this opportunity to unite under one banner to make a strong push for more opposition voices in Parliament.
A unified opposition 'A' team would stand a better chance than fragmented opposition groupings.
Lin Howard

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