SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew yesterday described as "absurd" Washington's criticism of his party's election campaign tactics.

"It is inevitable that the way you vote affects you because the policies of the government that you voted against would not be tailored in your favor, " the long-time former premier said.

"For the U.S. State Department to say that people should be free to vote without fear of any repercussions is absurd," Lee said in a prepared speech at an election rally.

A row between Singapore and Washington erupted when the state department last week said that "voters everywhere should be free to vote without the fear of repercussions" from the government.

It was seen as implicit criticism of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) poll platform tying the renovation of public- built housing to voter support for its candidates in Thursday's general elections here.