Update 20 Oct 2023: President Tharman spent over S$700,000 on election campaign, highest among candidates
The bulk of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's election campaign expenditure went to non-online advertising, which comprised banners, posters and brochures. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam spent S$738,717 (US$540,000) on his campaign for the Presidential Election, according to candidate declarations released by the Elections Department (ELD) on Friday (Oct 20).
His election expenditure was the highest among the three candidates. It was more than double the expenditure of Mr Ng Kok Song, who spent S$312,131, and more than 10 times that of Mr Tan Kin Lian, who spent S$71,366. Each candidate was allowed to spend up to S$812,822.10 for this presidential election. This is based on ELD guidelines that the spending limit is S$600,000 or 30 cents for each registered elector, whichever is greater. There were 2,709,407 electors.
Mr Tharman, a former Senior Minister, swept to a landslide victory in the Sep 1 poll, taking 70.4 per cent of the votes. Mr Ng received 15.72 per cent, and Mr Tan Kin Lian got 13.88 per cent of the vote.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s presidential inauguration
Halimah Yacob’s presidential term will end on September 13 2023. She was first sworn in as President of Singapore on September 14 2017 and chose not to seek re-election for a second term when her term drew close to expiry. Halimah was Singapore’s eighth president, and its very first female head of state.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is a notable figure in Singapore’s political scene, having been a key public member of the People’s Action Party (PAP) since 2001. Some of his larger roles in politics over the years include being the former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Manpower, and Senior Minister of Singapore. From 14 September 2023, Tharman will assume office as the ninth President of Singapore.
President Halimah Yacob bids goodbye at the Istana on last day of her term
Outgoing President Halimah Yacob marked the end of her term as Singapore’s eighth President on Wednesday (Sep 13) with a farewell reception at the Istana.
The 69-year-old former Member of Parliament is Singapore’s first female President. She left office on Wednesday after bidding goodbye to Istana staff members and other government officials. In her final remarks as head of state after a six-year term, Mdm Halimah said it was her privilege to be the voice of Singaporeans and that she was "most grateful" for the chance to empower other women.
Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was elected President on Sep 1 with 70.4 per cent vote share, will be sworn in at the Istana on Thursday.
The counting of votes cast by overseas voters and by postal voting method for the 2023 Presidential Election. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
The overseas votes cast for the Presidential Election were counted on Tuesday at the ELD. Mr Tharman secured 2,834 of the 3,721 valid overseas votes – about 76.16 per cent. This compares with the 70.4 per cent of the local votes that he received on Sep 1.
The other two candidates – Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian – received 595 votes (15.99 per cent) and 292 votes (7.85 per cent) respectively. Mr Ng had secured 15.7 per cent of the local votes, with 13.9 per cent going to Mr Tan. There were 78 rejected overseas votes.
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Candidate close to establishment wins Singapore presidential race
Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam meets his supporters after early sample vote count results at the presidential election in Singapore September 1, 2023. REUTERS/Edgar Su
A former member of Singapore's ruling party on Saturday scored a landslide victory to become the city-state's president, in an election seen as a barometer of public sentiment amid economic challenges and high-profile scandals.
Former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, won 70.4% of votes, the elections department said, to become Singapore's head of state. The country is a parliamentary democracy and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is the head of government.
Analysts said the landslide victory for the candidate seen as closest to the establishment is a sign that Singaporeans generally still trust the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). "It shows that the PAP is still a trusted brand, as long as the candidate that is put forth is credible. Tharman is as credible as it gets," said political scientist Walid Jumblatt Abdullah of Nanyang Technological University.
Singapore Presidential Election 2023: Tharman Shanmugaratnam in landslide 70.40% win
Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre while awaiting the result of the 2023 Singapore Presidential Election. (PHOTO: Bruce Lim/Yahoo News Singapore)
Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected as Singapore's ninth President on Saturday (2 September), following the city-state's first contested presidential election in 12 years. The 66-year-old secured 1,746,427 votes, or 70.40 per cent of the total valid votes to emerge victorious over two other presidential candidates.
Former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, garnered 390,041 votes, or 15.72 per cent of the total valid votes in his first election. Ex-NTUC Income chief executive officer Tan Kin Lian, also 75, earned 344,292 votes, or 13.88 per cent of the valid votes, in his second presidential election. In his first election back in 2011, he won only 4.91 per cent of the total votes.
The election results were officially announced by Returning Officer Tan Meng Dui on Saturday at 12.20am. A total of 2,480,760 Singapore citizens cast their votes on Friday, with 50,152 rejected votes.
'Rather unexpected': Analysts surprised at Tharman’s margin of victory in Singapore Presidential Election
Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a doorstop at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre on Sep 1, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
While Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s win in Singapore's Presidential Election was expected, the huge margin of victory left political analysts surprised. Mr Tharman, a former Senior Minister who was in politics for more than two decades, was elected Singapore’s ninth President in a landslide victory, winning 70.40 per cent of votes after four-and-a-half hours of counting.
About 2.5 million Singaporeans voted in the election on Friday (Sep 1).Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song garnered 15.72 per cent of votes, while former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian received 13.88 per cent of votes.
The final result closely mirrored the sample count announced by the Elections Department late on Friday night. The sample count showed that Mr Tharman had garnered 70 per cent of votes, while Mr Ng and Mr Tan received 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.
Landslide 70.4 per cent victory for Tharman as Singapore’s next president
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Ittogi with cheering supporters at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre on Sept 1. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Singaporeans have given Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam a resounding mandate to be Singapore’s ninth president. The 66-year-old former senior minister scored a big win with 70.4 per cent of the vote, while Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian received 15.72 per cent and 13.88 per cent, respectively.
Even before the official result was announced by Returning Officer Tan Meng Dui at 12.22am, it was clear who the winner was. The sample count released at about 10.40pm showed Mr Tharman leading with 70 per cent, while Mr Ng and Mr Tan were trailing with 16 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively.
Addressing the media at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre shortly after that, Mr Tharman said he was “humbled by the strong endorsement that Singaporeans have given to me”. “I believe that the vote for me and what I stand for is a vote of confidence in Singapore... It is a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together,” he said. He also thanked his fellow candidates for making the presidential election a worthy contest.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam Becomes Singapore President With 70.4% Of The Votes: 4 Other Interesting Numbers From The Presidential Election Results
Tharman Shanmugaratnam securing a total of 70.40% (1,746,427) with Ng Kok Song getting 15.72% (390,041) and Mr Tan Kin Lian 13.88% (344,292) of the votes
Unlike the 2011 Presidential Election, when a recount of votes was called due to the tight vote difference between eventual winner Mr Tony Tan (35.20%) and Mr Tan Cheng Bock (34.85%), there was no uncertainty about who the winner of the 2023 Singapore Presidential Election once the sample count result was announced by the Election Department Singapore (ELD). And it’s likely many Singaporeans went to bed after the sample count results were announced.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam achieved 70% of the sample count votes. The final result saw him securing a total of 70.40% (1,746,427) of the votes, with Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian getting 15.72% (390,041) and 13.88% (344,292) of the votes respectively.
Beside the clear victory that provides a strong mandate for Mr Tharman, here are 4 other interesting numbers from the Presidential Election that we think are worth pointing out;
- Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Winning 70.4% Of Votes Mirrors His Popularity In Previous Elections
- Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian May Have Split The Opposition Vote
- No Deposit Lost Despite A 3-Cornered Fight
- Number Of People Who Voted & Rejected Votes
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s journey
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Jane Yumiko Ittogi, have four children together, namely Maya, Akash, Krishan, and Arjun Shanmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a Singaporean statesman and economist, is on the cusp of becoming Singapore’s president. Before his current role as President-elect, Tharman’s journey in public service has been marked by significant milestones. Let us look at Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s journey.
Tharman entered the political arena during the 2001 general election, representing Jurong GRC as part of a five-member PAP team. He achieved a resounding victory, securing 79.75% of the vote. Subsequently, he was appointed Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Senior Minister of State for Education. In 2003, Tharman joined the Cabinet as Minister for Education, a role he held until 2008. As an economist by profession, his entire career has been devoted to serving Singapore in various capacities related to economic and social policies.
Simultaneously, he has taken on leadership roles in esteemed international councils and panels. Tharman is a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Furthermore, he contributes to the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, tasked with making recommendations for the UN Summit of the Future in 2024.
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Live: Polling Day Special on Sep 1
Three candidates are in the running - former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian.
Watch CNA's live coverage of the Singapore Presidential Election results on 1 Sep at 9pm (SG/HK).
What are the do's and don'ts on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day?
Cooling-off Day is a day when campaigning is disallowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed. This 24-hour campaign silence period is to let voters reflect rationally on various issues raised at an election before going to the polls.
The following campaign activities are prohibited on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day:
- Canvassing and visiting homes and workplaces of voters in connection with the election;
- Wearing, using, carrying or displaying of any political propaganda (such as a badge, symbol, rosette, favour, set of colours, flag, advertisement, handbill, placard, poster or replica of a voting paper) by any person or on any motor-car, truck or other vehicle. Members of the public should refrain from wearing any apparel bearing the image, election symbol and/or campaign message of any candidate on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day; and
- Holding election meetings.
The following are prohibited at any time on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day at an election in an electoral division:
- Knowingly publishing, or knowingly causing or permitting to be published, any election advertising in or among electors in the electoral division; and
- Knowingly displaying, or knowingly causing or permitting to be displayed, any election advertising on any vehicle, thing or structure within the electoral division or adjoining the electoral division.
However, do note that there are some exceptions to the prohibitions of knowingly publishing or displaying election advertising on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day:
- Reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters;
- Party Political Broadcasts scheduled from 9pm onwards on Cooling-off Day
- Approved posters/banners lawfully displayed before the start of Cooling-off Day;
- Election advertising that was lawfully displayed or published before the start of Cooling-off Day on the Internet and that was not changed after its publication or display. However, programmatic advertising, i.e. using technology to automatically deliver digital ads online and on social media platforms, should not be conducted on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day.
- Distribution or promotion of the sale of any book if the book was scheduled for publication independent of the election and the book is not sold at less than its commercial value;
- The transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means;
- The wearing by candidates, of a badge indicating affiliation with a political party or replica of the symbol allotted to them.
Singapore Presidential Election on 1 Sep 2023
Polling Day for Singapore’s Presidential Election will be on Friday, Sep 1, if more than one candidate qualifies to run for the post. Nomination Day was on 22 Aug 2023.
The dates were announced by the Elections Department on Friday (Aug 11) after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued the writ of election. Four people have declared their intention to run.
Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the first to throw his hat into the ring when he announced his bid on Jun 8, followed by businessman George Goh and former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song. Former presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian officially launched his campaign on Aug 11.
S'pore Presidential Election on 1 Sep 2023
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued the writ of election for the 2023 Presidential Election on 11 Aug 2023.
Each nomination must be accompanied by a S$40,500 deposit and must be submitted together with the certificate of eligibility and political donation certificate. In addition, applications for the certificate of eligibility and the submission of community declarations will close on the fifth day after the writ of election is issued, according to the Elections Department. Late applications will not be accepted.
Lee Hsien Loong 45 m
Today, I issued the Writ of Election for the Presidential Election. Nomination Day will be on 22 August.
A few individuals have already declared their intention to run for the Presidency. The media have widely reported on them, and I’m sure we will hear more from the candidates themselves during the campaign period.
The President represents all Singaporeans and stands as a symbol of our unity and aspirations. Listen to what each candidate has to say and assess them and their views carefully. I hope everyone will vote wisely for the best candidate for this important role. – LHL
The Presidential Election is open to all races
Applications for the Presidential Election opens on June 13 & will close on the fifth day after the Writ of Election is issued by PM Lee Hsien Loong
Potential candidates who wish to run in the Presidential Election (PE) can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from Tuesday (Jun 13). This is the first step in order to enter the presidential race. Prospective candidates must also submit a community declaration. Applications for the Certificate of Eligibility and submission of community declarations will close on the fifth day after the Writ of Election is issued, the Elections Department (ELD) said in a press release on Monday. Late applications will not be accepted, it added.
The Certificate of Eligibility certifies that the candidate is a person of integrity, good character and reputation, and meets the relevant public sector or private sector service requirements. To qualify, the prospective candidate must have held a senior public office or helmed a company that has at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders' equity for at least three years.
The contender must also be a Singapore citizen, be at least 45 years old on Nomination Day and not belong to any political party. The Presidential Elections Committee, which will evaluate the candidates and issue the Certificate of Eligibility, is chaired by Mr Lee Tzu Yang, the chairman of the Public Service Commission.
2023 Singaporean presidential election
Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Singapore by 13 September 2023. The president of Singapore is the head of state of Republic of Singapore. The incumbent president is Halimah Yacob, who took office on 14 September 2017. She is also the first female president in the country's history.
Modelled after the Westminster system, the office is largely ceremonial, with the general direction and control of the Government exercised by the Cabinet led by the prime minister. However, the president has several powers designed to safeguard the national reserves and the integrity of the public service. Such powers include withholding assent to any supply bill that is likely to draw on the reserves which were not accumulated by the Government during its current term of office and refusing to make or revoking appointments to public offices such as Chief Justice, Attorney-General, Chief of Defence Force and Commissioner of Police amongst others. The current system of conducting elections for the presidency began with the 1993 presidential election and the swearing-in of Ong Teng Cheong. Prior to that, the president was appointed by Parliament.
There are strict requirements for prospective presidential candidates, and whether a candidate meets the qualifications or not is decided by the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC), who are given the task of issuing a certificate of eligibility (COE) to prospective candidates. The presidency is required by the Constitution to be non-partisan. Following amendments to the Constitution of Singapore, the next presidential election will be open to candidates of any racial community. The 2017 presidential election was the first to be reserved for a particular racial community under a hiatus-triggered model, and was restricted to candidates from the minority Malay community, who had not held the presidency since 1970. On 8 June 2023, Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced his resignation scheduled for 7 July 2023 from all his positions in government and as a member of the People's Action Party to run for the presidency. Prior to his announcement, Tharman served as Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Presidential election 2023 — what happens next and why it matters
Talk of a possible contested election has intensified after President Halimah Yacob announced on Monday (May 29) that she will not be running for re-election in the next presidential election.
The six-year term of Madam Halimah, Singapore's eighth president, expires on Sept 13. Mdm Halimah took office on Sept 14 in 2017 after an uncontested election was held owing to a lack of other eligible candidates. The election was reserved for ethnic Malays because there had not been a president from the racial group for the five most recent presidential terms.
The upcoming elected presidency will not be reserved for minority candidates. TODAY takes a look at what can be expected next and why the upcoming elected presidency matters.
Application for Singapore Presidential Election 2023
Voters can use Singpass at polling stations in upcoming Presidential Election.
For the first time, voters will be able to use their Singpass app in place of the physical National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) to verify their identity at polling stations in the upcoming presidential election, which is to be held by Sept 13. Voters can still choose to take along their pink NRIC if they do not have a Singpass account, the Elections Department told The Straits Times.
As on July, there were 2.7 million eligible voters, an increase of 55,000 from the 2.65 million in the 2020 General Election
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
Public sector service requirement
The public sector service requirement is that the person has:
a. held office for three or more years as Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, Attorney-General, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Auditor-General, Accountant-General or Permanent Secretary;b. served for three years or more as the chief executive of an entity specified in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution;c. served for three or more years in an office in the public sector for which the PEC must be satisfied, having regard to the nature of the office and the person’s performance, that he has the experience and ability comparable to a person who satisfies public sector service requirement (a) or (b). The PEC must also be satisfied that he has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President; ord. held office or served for two periods of at least one year each in any of the above-mentioned offices, and the two periods add up to three or more years in total.
Private sector service requirement
The private sector service requirement is that the person has:
a. served as the chief executive of a company and the following four criteria are met:
i. the person’s most recent period of service as the chief executive of that company, ignoring any period of service less than a year, must be three or more years in length;ii. the company must have, on average, at least $500m shareholders’ equity during the person’s most recent three-year period of service as chief executive;iii. the company must have, on average, made profit after tax for the entire period during which the person served as the chief executive;iv. if the person has ceased to be the chief executive of the company before the date of the Writ of Election, the company must not have been subject to any insolvency event within three years of the person’s last day of service as the chief executive, or until the date of the Writ of Election, whichever is earlier;
b. served for three or more years in an office in a private sector organisation and the PEC must be satisfied (having regard to the nature of the office, the size and complexity of the private sector organisation and the person’s performance in the office) that the person has the experience and ability comparable to a person who satisfies the criteria laid out in private sector service requirement (a). The PEC must also be satisfied that he has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President; or
c. served for two periods of at least one year each in any of the above-mentioned offices, and the two periods add up to three or more years in total.
EXPLANATORY MATERIAL ON THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
The President is the Head of State and hold office for a term of 6 years.
The President has two important roles - first, as a symbol and unifier of a diverse and multi-racial Singapore; and second, as a custodian of our nation's past reserves and the integrity of our public service.
The first Presidential Election was held on 28 August 1993.
S’pore’s eighth president Halimah Yacob announces decision not to stand for re-election
Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob made a significant announcement today (May 29), stating that she will not stand for re-election in the upcoming Presidential Election, which is scheduled to take place in a few months’ time.
President Halimah, who has served as the eighth President of Singapore for the past six years, expressed her gratitude and reflected on her time in a video, which she shared in her Facebook page. “It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as the eighth President of Singapore for the past six years,” President Halimah said. “The experience has been most inspiring and, at the same time, humbling.” She acknowledged the immense responsibilities that come with the presidency and expressed her commitment to creating a more caring and compassionate society during her tenure.
President Halimah took office in 2017, becoming the first female president of Singapore and the first Malay president in 47 years. Throughout her term, she has strived to serve all Singaporeans regardless of their race, language, or social standing, aiming to foster unity and inclusivity within the nation. In her post, she also thanked various community, social, and business organisations that have inspired her with their conviction and enthusiasm to build a better Singapore.
Singapore's 8th and first female President
The move gives minority ethnic groups an assurance that their place in society will always be safeguarded, he said, just like how the group representation constituency system - which guarantees at least one candidate per constituency is from a minority race - ensures there will always be MPs from minority races in Parliament
The PAP secretary-general was referring to public unhappiness over the Constitutional amendments passed in November 2016, to reserve the elected presidency for candidates of a particular racial group if there had not been a president from the group for the five most recent presidential terms.
Critics said the decision went against Singapore's meritocratic values, and hundreds protested in Hong Lim Park days after the first election, reserved for Malays, saw Madam Halimah Yacob sworn in as President on Sept 14, 2017.
Mr Lee cited the issue as an example of how Singapore is proactively strengthening the institutions that support its multiracial and multi-religious society.
2023 Singapore Presidential Election
According to the ELD, there were 6,649 registered overseas voters, of which 3,432 registered to vote by post. This was the first time postal voting was used in an election.
Of those who registered to vote by post, 2,997 downloaded the postal ballots and 1,345 of them were received by the deadline of Sep 11 and accepted for counting, said ELD. Another 2,454 Singaporeans cast their votes at the 10 overseas polling stations. The overseas polling stations are in Beijing, Canberra, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo and Washington.
Adding to the ballots cast in Singapore on Sep 1, the total number of votes cast at the Presidential Election 2023 was 2,534,711, of which 50,230 were rejected votes. About 93.55 per cent of the 2,709,407 registered electors voted in the 2023 Presidential Election.
A look back at the 5 times Singapore Presidential Election was previously held
The four elected Presidents of Singapore: (from left) Ong Teng Cheong, S R Nathan, Tony Tan and Halimah Yacob. (FILE PHOTOS: Reuters)
Before presidential elections in Singapore were introduced following a constitution amendment in 1991, the city-state's Parliament was in charge of electing and appointing the country's head of state.
Four presidents were appointed in that manner: Yusof Ishak (1965 to 1970), Benjamin Sheares (1971 to 1981), Devan Nair (1981 to 1985) and Wee Kim Wee (1985 to 1993).
Following the constitutional amendment to allow the president to be elected via popular vote for a six-year term, Singapore has held five presidential elections prior to this year. Of those five elections, only two were contested, while the other three saw a presidential candidate being elected unopposed. Here's how the five previous presidential elections transpired:
- 1993 Election - Candidates who applied for certificates of eligibility: Ong Teng Cheong, Chua Kim Yeow, JB Jeyaretnam, Tan Soo Phuan. Eligible candidates (percentage of valid votes): Ong Teng Cheong (58.69 per cent), Chua Kim Yeow (41.31 per cent). Candidate elected: Ong Teng Cheong.
- 1999 Election - Candidates who applied for certificates of eligibility: S R Nathan, Ooi Boon Ewe, Tan Soo Phuan. Eligible/elected candidate: S R Nathan (unopposed)
- 2005 Election - Candidates who applied for certificates of eligibility: S R Nathan, Andrew Kuan, Ooi Boon Ewe, Ramachandran Govindasamy Naidu. Eligible/elected candidate: S R Nathan (unopposed)
- 2011 Election - Candidates who applied for certificates of eligibility: Tony Tan, Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Jee Say, Tan Kin Lian, Andrew Kuan, Ooi Boon Ewe. Eligible candidates (percentage of valid votes): Tony Tan (35.2 per cent), Tan Cheng Bock (34.85 per cent), Tan Jee Say (25.04 per cent), Tan Kin Lian (4.91 per cent). Candidate elected: Tony Tan.
- 2017 Election - Candidates who applied for certificates of eligibility: Halimah Yacob, Mohamed Salleh Marican, Farid Khan, Shirwin Eu, Ooi Boon Ewe. Eligible/elected candidate: Halimah Yacob (unopposed)
2011 Singapore Presidential Election
Presidential elections were held in Singapore on 27 August 2011 after S.R. Nathan's term ended. Four eligible candidates were issued certificates of eligibility by the Presidential Elections Committee and were nominated on Nomination Day. The result was a victory for Tony Tan, who received 35.20% of the vote. Tan was sworn in as the seventh President of Singapore on 1 September 2011.
Results of the 2011 Presidential elections:
- At 8.00 pm, polling stations closed and ballot boxes were then sealed, and delivered to counting centres. The first candidate to concede defeat was Tan Kin Lian at about 10.30 pm local time, around two and a half hours after polls closed. He added he might not get his deposit of S$48,000 back but the experience of running the race has been useful. He said he was somewhat disappointed, but he believed he had put up a good fight and expected to do much better. He made a hint of the result by saying it "will be a tough fight between the top two candidates". When asked who the top two candidates were, Tan declined to comment.
- At 1.19 am on 28 August, it was announced by the Elections Department that a recount of ballots would begin, as the top two candidates, Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bock's votes had a difference of less than 2 percent. The Returning Officer "allowed the recounting of all votes cast" after the first tally showed they were less than two percent apart, per the statement.
- At 4.23 am SST, the results were released by Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee at the Elections Department at Prinsep Street.
- Result for the presidential election 2011. Tan Cheng Bock, 737,128 votes (34.85%). Tan Jee Say, 529,732 votes (25.04%). Tony Tan Keng Yam, 744,397 votes (35.19%). Tan Kin Lian, 103,931 votes (4.91%). Rejected votes, 37,826. Total votes cast, 2,153,014. The local votes counted are conclusive of the results. Pursuant to Section 32, Subsection 8D, Paragraph A of the Presidential Elections Act, I declare Tony Tan Keng Yam as the candidate elected as the President of Singapore.
- Tony Tan was declared president-elect with 35.19% of the votes, leading by a 0.34% margin ahead of Tan Cheng Bock, or 7,269 votes. Tan Kin Lian, who polled under 5% of the 2,115,188 valid votes cast, had his election deposit of S$48,000 forfeited.
1993 Singapore Presidential Election
Presidential elections were held in Singapore on 28 August 1993. The writ of election was issued on 4 August 1993, with the Nomination Day and Polling Day adjourned on 18 and 28 August 1993, respectively. Two candidates have their application for the Certificate of Eligibility Accepted.
The first candidate was a former member of the governing People's Action Party, Ong Teng Cheong was the Chairman of the People's Action Party and served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Labour and was the Member of Parliament (MP) of Toa Payoh GRC between 1988 to 1993 and Kim Keat SMC between 1972 to 1988. He had resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and his role from the PAP before submitting his presidential eligibility forms. The second was Chua Kim Yeow who became the first Singaporean to be appointed accountant-general of Singapore succeeding a British accountant in 1961. He was a reluctant candidate and had to be persuaded by the Singapore Government to stand for the presidential election. The result was a victory for Ong Teng Cheong, who received 58.7% of the vote. Ong was sworn in as the fifth President of Singapore on 1 September 1993.
In January 1991, the Constitution of Singapore was amended to provide for the popular election of the President. The creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as, under the revision, the president is empowered to veto the use of government reserves and appointments to key Civil Service appointments. He or she can also examine the administration's enforcement of the Internal Security Act and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and look into investigations of corruption. By virtue of transitional provisions in the Constitution of Singapore, Ong's predecessor Wee Kim Wee exercised, performed and discharged all the functions, powers and duties of an elected president as if he had been elected to the office of President by the citizens of Singapore.
SINGAPORE PRESIDENTS
Yusof Ishak (Appointed) Term of Office: 9 Aug 1965 - 23 Nov 1970
Benjamin Sheares (Appointed) Term of Office (3 Terms): 2 Jan 1971 - 12 May 1981
Devan Nair (Appointed) Term of Office: 23 Oct 1981 - 28 March 1985
Wee Kim Wee (Appointed) Term of Office: 2 Sep 1985 - 1 Sep 1993
Ong Teng Cheong (Elected) Term of Office: 1 Sept 1993 - 1 Sep 1999
S R Nathan (Elected Unopposed) Term of Office (2 Terms): 1 Sept 1999 - 1 Sep 2011
Tony Tan Keng Yam (Elected) Term of Office: 1 Sep 2011 - 31 Aug 2017
Halimah Yacob (Elected Unopposed) Term of Office: 14 Sep 2017 - 13 Sep 2023
Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Elected) Term of Office: 14 Sep 2023 - 13 Sep 2029
Cast your vote to .........
It looks like Ah Song is giving out many surprises. Firstly his & his GF's ages kena 4D 1st Prize. Now he has his own Ah Huat White Coffee. What's next???
Gimme Hope Halimah!
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Silent sit-in protest against PE2017
Singapore's 8th and first female President
No contest for Singapore Presidential Election 2017
President Tony Tan reflects on his six years at the Istana
PE2017: Mr Owl for President?
Presidential Election polling day will be on Sep 23
High Court dismissed Tan Cheng Bock's challenge on Elected Presidency
Presidential Election 2017: What makes a person Malay?
Silent sit-in protest against PE2017
Singapore's 8th and first female President
No contest for Singapore Presidential Election 2017
President Tony Tan reflects on his six years at the Istana
PE2017: Mr Owl for President?
Presidential Election polling day will be on Sep 23
High Court dismissed Tan Cheng Bock's challenge on Elected Presidency
Presidential Election 2017: What makes a person Malay?
2017 Presidential Election to be reserved for Malay candidates
Public Forum on Elected Presidency cancelled due to poor response
White Paper on Elected Presidency scheme
Spore push for minority President but not ready for non-Chinese PM
Changes to the Elected Presidency Scheme
Order of Succession And Baton Passing
