THE National Day organising committee has once again implemented the e-balloting system for the allocation of parade tickets this year.

This practice is fair and it prevents long queues - which we used to see in the past - but I feel that the website for public application has some loopholes which could result in exploitation and sabotage.

An applicant needs to enter only his or her identity card (NRIC) number and contact number before selecting the number of tickets he or she wishes to apply for.

Also, the chances of obtaining two tickets are higher than that of obtaining four or six tickets, and the chances of obtaining four tickets are higher than that of six tickets, the website notes.

These rules, in my opinion, allow pranksters to randomly enter another person's NRIC number, a fake contact number and select 'six tickets' during application.

This would give the unknowing victim low chances of being successful in the ballot.

Even if the unfortunate victim were to be so lucky as to win the ballot, the organising committee would not be able to reach him or her, as the phone number given is fake.

Furthermore, as only the latest application goes into the ballot, the pranksters' actions would render the unknowing victim's genuine applications made earlier void.

I hope the organising committee will be able to look into this matter.

Mr Teo Seng Ann

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