Cover Singapore PE2023: What you need to know about polling day (Photo: Getty Images)
Singapore PE2023: What you need to know about polling day (Photo: Getty Images)
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Singaporeans will go to the polls on September 1—here’s how you can prepare for it, even if you’re abroad
President Halimah Yacob’s six-year term as Singapore President will come to an end on September 13, which means Singaporeans can prepare to head to the polls soon. While the 2017 election was reserved for Malay candidates, for the first time, this year’s will be open to all races.
On August 11, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued the Writ of Election for the presidential election, announcing that Nomination Day and Polling Day will be held on August 22 and September 1, respectively.
According to Election Department Singapore (ELD), six presidential hopefuls have submitted applications for eligibility. Four of the six publically announced their intention to run for office, including former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, and entrepreneur George Goh.
The Presidential Elections Committee just announced on Friday (August 18) that it issued certificates of eligibility to three candidates: Mr Tharman, Mr Ng and Mr Tan.
While Polling Day will be declared a public holiday, don’t be too quick to make holiday plans because Singaporeans will have to vote on this day. Singapore citizens aged 21 years and above who are not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law are required to vote.
If this is your first year voting or if you just need a reminder of the various processes, here are what you need to know about Polling Day, when to expect the results and more.
In case you missed it: #Tatlergram: How our Tatler friends celebrated National Day 2023
Nomination Day
This year’s Nomination Day will fall on August 22, and it is the day when Presidential Election candidates are announced. If only one candidate is successfully nominated, that candidate will be elected as president. However, if more than one candidate is nominated, Singaporeans will need to go to the polls to vote for the next president. If the latter occurs, candidates can begin their campaigns immediately after the nomination proceedings.
Cooling-off Day
First implemented for Singapore’s general election in 2011, Cooling-off Day is the day before Polling Day when no campaigning activities are allowed. This day has been allocated to allow voters time to think about issues raised during the campaigning period.
According to ELD, various campaign activities are not allowed on both Cooling-off Day and Polling Day, including:
- Display of election advertising that has not already been lawfully displayed or published
- Visiting the homes and workplaces of voters
- Wearing, using, carrying or displaying any political propaganda
- Holding election meetings
What happens on Polling Day
Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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On Polling Day, qualified electors will need to head to their allotted polling stations to cast their votes.
Polling Day will be a public holiday. According to the ELD, employers should allow electors who are working on this day a “reasonable period of time for voting”. After the closure of polls, ballot boxes will be sealed and transported to respective counting centres.
How to vote if you’re abroad
According to ELD, Singapore citizens residing overseas can vote if they satisfy the qualifying criteria of:
- Singaporean citizenship
- Not less than 21 years of age
- Not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law
- Has a Singapore residential address on his/her NRIC or is able to show proof of a Local Contact Address (LCA)
- Has resided in Singapore for an aggregate of at least 30 days within the three-year period prior to the date of application as an overseas elector
Those who satisfy these criteria can apply to vote through Singpass’s Voters Services.
Overseas Singaporeans who are registered as overseas electors can vote at their allotted overseas polling station. 10 overseas polling stations are available around the world. Note that due to time zones, voting at certain overseas polling stations may take place before polling begins in Singapore.
Where will the results be announced
Once the polls have closed, ballot boxes will be transported to counting centres. The outcome of the poll will be announced by the Returning Officer once all the votes have been counted. The results of the election will be broadcasted on various Singapore TV and radio channels, including Channel 5, Channel 8, CNA, Vasantham and Suria.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
