Response to The Straits Times Forum Letter on ''NDP Balloting - 'Exclude Those Who Were Successful in Previous Years'''

NDP Balloting provides a fair chance to all applicants I thank Mr Lim Kim Thia for his feedback ("NDP Balloting - 'Exclude Those Who Were Successful in Previous Years'", 28 Apr 12). Each year on 9th Aug, Singaporeans come together to celebrate our nationhood. The number of ticket applications for the National Day Parade (NDP) overwhelmingly exceed the seats available. Since 2003, the NDP E-balloting system has been in use to allocate NDP tickets to successful applicants on a random basis to ensure that every applicant has an opportunity to join in the celebration at the NDP venue. Every NDP is unique.

While we would like as many Singaporeans as possible to experience NDP, it would be unfair to deny those who were successful in previous years a chance to attend the nation's birthday celebration. Nonetheless, repeat winners constitute a very small percentage of all successful applicants and do not significantly reduce the chances of new applicants from being allocated tickets. As we celebrate "Loving Singapore, Our Home" this year, those who are unable to secure tickets to the parade can join the Celebrations@The Bay where complementary activities are organised around the Marina Bay area. We would like to remind the public that the sale and purchase of NDP preview and actual-day tickets are strictly prohibited. We wish you an enjoyable NDP 12. Colonel Desmond Tan Chairman EXCO, NDP 2012 MINDEF's reply was published as "NDP tickets: Unfair to bar previous ballot winners", The Straits Times, 02 May 12