Rare for Singapore political parties to use background screening firms to vet candidates: Industry players

DEGREE OF SEPARATION

Professional screening also offers political parties a degree of separation from candidates’ past controversies, if they emerge later, the firms said.

“It protects the party, as the party is showing the public what they have done and the steps they have already taken to ensure due diligence,” said RMI’s Mr Ho.

The goal, he said, is to demonstrate that while bad judgment or changes in character may be difficult to foresee, extensive checks had been conducted at the time the candidates joined the organisation.

“Arguably as important is that we are experts in this area of work and a non-biased independent third party,” Kroll’s Mr Tan said.

“There is an accountability consideration. Should there be scrutiny in the vetting process, it can be objectively said that a third party came in and found no conflict or discrepancies.”

Industry players said that while the WP likely conducted internal checks, engaging a background screening firm adds a layer of professionalism, given their more advanced methods of obtaining information.

HOW SCREENING WORKS

The process typically begins with the candidate’s consent and takes about two weeks, depending on the complexity of the screening, the firms said.

Background checks often include verifying credentials with employers and educational institutions, assessing financial soundness through credit or bankruptcy checks, and checking for ongoing litigation or past convictions. Social media and traditional media are also scrutinised for derogatory information.

The person being screened is aware of the checks being done, and has to give consent before the process can begin, said Avvanz’s Mr Chettiar.

“Some higher-risk individuals require more thorough vetting. For example, criminality checks in such cases will cover the past decade compared to fewer years for regular cases,” he said.

“For every 10 profiles we screen, at least three will have some form of discrepancies, in the form of fake credentials, inflated backgrounds, derogatory social media footprint or undeclared offences.” 

All findings are then compiled into a formal report for the client, raising any red flags that may have been found.

However, the final decision on how to proceed ultimately lies with the clients who hired their services.

“Sometimes they think that just because a conviction is for a smaller, less serious crime, like maybe for drunk and disorderly behaviour, and not something bigger, then it’s scant.”

HOW OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES DO IT

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) told CNA it uses a range of screening processes and feedback sources to vet potential candidates.

“No screening process can be 100 per cent effective. But we do our best to identify candidates who are committed to serve our nation, of good character and have a heart to improve the lives of our fellow citizens,” said a PAP spokesperson.

During the 2020 general election, potential PAP candidate Ivan Lim withdrew from the race just two days before Nomination Day following online criticism of his conduct during National Service, along with other allegations.

The Singapore Democratic Party said it has not used background screening firms for potential candidates. “Partly because the majority of them would have been active with the party for a number of years at the point of selection and their backgrounds known to us,” a spokesperson told CNA.

The Progress Singapore Party declined to comment.