Downside to multi-cornered presidential race

Downside to multi-cornered presidential race
Letter from Edwin Yeo Tee Yeok 04:45 AM Aug 10, 2011
While the prospect of a multi-candidate contest for the Presidency looks to be an exciting spectacle, I am concerned that the splitting of votes among the candidates could result in a situation where the winner garners fewer than half of the total votes cast.
In such an event, one would be hard-pressed to justify a "people's mandate" for the Elected President since more than half of the electorate would not have voted for him.
Such an Elected President may find it hard to gain respect, especially if the contest had been heated, with emotions running high, or if he had won by a small margin.
Imagine the following scenario: The President is escorted to the podium during the National Day Parade, but only fewer than half of the spectators welcome him.
I hope this does not happen and that Singaporeans will be mature enough to respect the election outcome.
However, in future, perhaps the authorities could consider amending the election rules to provide for "run-off" elections if no candidate is able to win more than 50 per cent of the total votes cast.
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110810-0000284/Downside-to-multi-cornered-presidential-race

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