Cooling-off Day on Aug 31: What presidential candidates can or cannot do
All campaigning for Singapore's Presidential Election must stop by Cooling-off Day on Thursday (Aug 31) to give voters time to reflect on their choice for President. About 2.7 million Singaporeans will go to the ballot box on Friday to vote for Singapore's ninth President.
The period from midnight on Thursday to the close of polling at 8pm on Friday is called the cooling-off period. During this time, campaigning activity and new election advertising are not allowed, said the Elections Department (ELD).
The candidates – former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian – have been officially campaigning since Nomination Day on Aug 22.
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Cooling-off Day is a day when campaigning is disallowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed.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.
2nd Presidential candidate broadcasts on Aug 30
Candidates for the 2023 Singapore Presidential Election Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian delivered their campaigning messages in the second and final presidential candidate broadcast on Wednesday (Aug 30) at 7pm on CNA.
The broadcasts will be made in the four official languages and will be aired across 19 TV and radio channels.
1st & only live debate among presidential candidates at 9pm on Aug 28
Catch Mediacorp's live Singapore Presidential Forum featuring candidates Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian on Monday (Aug 28) on CNA at 9pm.
Ask The Next President Anything: Candidates’ answers to questions from young Singaporeans
In this quick-fire question-and-answer show, which premiered on The Straits Times’ YouTube channel on Sunday at 8pm, the presidential candidates answered questions on video sent in by young Singaporeans. Ask The Next President can also be watched here on The Straits Times’ app and website, and on ST’s Facebook page.
Mr Ng and Mr Tharman took turns to answer questions such as how they would act as president, and how they would handle corruption cases involving politicians. The two men gave their answers in alternating order. Former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75, who is also running in the presidential election, declined ST’s invitation to participate. Each candidate had 90 seconds to answer each question.
1st Presidential candidate broadcasts on Aug 24
Candidates for the Singapore Presidential Election Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian, delivered their campaigning messages in the first presidential candidate broadcast on Thursday (Aug 24) at 7pm on CNA.
A second broadcast will be made on Aug 30 at the same time.
The broadcasts will be made in the four official languages and will be aired across 19 TV and radio channels. Details on the schedule here: https://cna.asia/45i6zmR
Presidential candidate broadcasts to be aired on Aug 24 and Aug 30
Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian delivering their speeches after being confirmed as presidential candidates on Aug 22, 2023
Airtime on television and radio has been made available for the presidential candidates to deliver their campaigning messages, following the nominations of Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian.
Two broadcast slots will air across 19 free-to-air radio and television platforms, said the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on Wednesday (Aug 23). The first broadcast will be on Aug 24 and the second broadcast will be on Aug 30. "The broadcasts will be made in the four official languages," said IMDA.
It added that the order of the first broadcast on radio and television will be determined on the alphabetical order of the candidates' names as reflected in the electoral roll. Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song will be the first to deliver his message, followed by former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian. This order will be reversed for the second presidential candidate broadcast, said IMDA.
Presidential election shaping up into partisan contest, say analysts
Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian flanked by PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock (left) and SDP member Tan Jee Say during his walkabout in Chin Swee Road on Aug 27. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
The 2023 Presidential Election is shaping up into a partisan contest, with several prominent opposition figures coming out in support of candidate Tan Kin Lian, said political observers and analysts.
This has politicised the election into a contest pitting the opposition against the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), even though the president is meant to be above the political fray, they added.
Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chairman and founder Tan Cheng Bock on Sunday endorsed former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, joining others such as Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member Tan Jee Say and Peoples Voice (PV) chief Lim Tean. Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say had turned up at a walkabout to stump for Mr Tan Kin Lian, declaring that they shared a “common vision” for an independent president. The trio had contested the 2011 Presidential Election, which former deputy prime minister Tony Tan won.
The race for the Singapore presidency officially begins
Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian are officially declared as nominees to contest the 2023 Singapore Presidential Election. Watch the Returning Officer's announcements and the candidates' speeches in full
Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian have been confirmed as candidates in the upcoming Singapore Presidential Election.
Former GIC chief investment officer Mr Ng, former Senior Minister Mr Tharman and former NTUC Income chief executive Mr Tan filed their nomination papers at the People's Association headquarters at King George's Avenue on Tuesday morning (Aug 22). Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1, which will be a public holiday.
Read what the candidates had to say after they were declared as in the running to be Singapore's ninth President:
- Ng Kok Song urges voters to pick him as President for his experience with Singapore's reserves, political neutrality
- Tharman looking forward to 'fair, dignified, honourable' contest in Presidential Election
- I want to give Singaporeans a chance to vote for a 'truly independent' president: Tan Kin Lian
Presidential Election 2023 officially kicks off
This was confirmed after the Returning Officer announced the nominated candidates for the 2023 presidential election at the Nomination Centre at People’s Association HQ.
Result of 2011 Singapore Presidential Election
Opposition members' endorsement of Tan Kin Lian polarises voters by politicising Presidential Election: Ng Kok Song
Opposition members endorsing presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian are trying to confuse and polarise Singaporeans by attempting to politicise the Presidential Election, said fellow candidate Ng Kok Song.
By doing so, these opposition members are dishonouring the office of the President, which is meant to be non-partisan, Mr Ng told reporters during a walkabout at Chinatown Complex on Sunday (Aug 27). “It is a very unhealthy and worrisome development in this Presidential Election; the people concerned are confusing the people of Singapore,” said Mr Ng. “Confusing (them) between a Presidential Election and a General Election.”
Mr Ng was commenting on a meeting that happened earlier on Sunday between Mr Tan, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chairman Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say, who contested in the 2020 General Election under the Singapore Democratic Party banner. Dr Tan and Mr Tan Jee Say, who were both candidates in the 2011 Presidential Election, said they were supporting the former NTUC Income chief executive officer in his presidential bid, with Dr Tan adding that he was doing so in his “personal capacity”.
related: Former Singapore Presidential Election candidate Tan Cheng Bock declares support for Tan Kin Lian
Residents of more than 4,800 households in Tanjong Pagar have received two poll cards for the upcoming presidential election due to an error made by the appointed printer.
The Elections Department (ELD) said in a statement on Thursday that the printer, Toppan, had erroneously sent out test prints of poll cards together with the correct poll cards to a total of 4,803 households – with 9,822 voters – in Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Of these 9,822 voters, 9,354 received two poll cards with different voter serial numbers. The remaining 468 voters received two poll cards with identical information.
Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Tan Kin Lian confirmed as Singapore presidential candidates
Mr Ng Kok Song, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr Tan Kin Lian have been confirmed as candidates in the upcoming Singapore Presidential Election.
Former GIC chief investment officer Mr Ng, former NTUC Income chief executive Mr Tan and former Senior Minister Mr Tharman filed their papers at the People's Association headquarters at King George's Avenue on Tuesday (Aug 22) morning.
Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1, which will be declared a public holiday.
Ng Kok Song, Tharman, Tan Kin Lian officially in three-way race for presidential election
(From left) Former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian had earlier submitted their nomination papers ahead of the noon deadline. ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH, KEVIN LIM
A three-way contest for the presidency is officially underway among former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75.
The three presidential hopefuls all successfully filed their nomination papers on Tuesday. Returning Officer Tan Meng Dui officially announced the trio as candidates at 12.39pm. All three had arrived earlier at the nomination centre at the People’s Association headquarters in Jalan Besar ahead of the noon deadline.
Now that they have been officially announced as candidates, they cannot pull out of the race without forfeiting their election deposits of $40,500 each. The three men, who are vying to become Singapore’s ninth elected president, can begin campaigning officially. Campaigning ends on Aug 30, with Cooling-Off Day on Aug 31 and Polling Day on Sept 1.
related:
What to expect on Nomination Day
- 10.30am: The presidential hopefuls will enter the nomination place.
- 11am - 12pm: They will submit their necessary documents, which include the certificate of eligibility and their nomination papers.
- 11am - 12.30pm: Objections to the nomination of a candidate may be made by a rival candidate, his proposer, seconder or assenters, or one other person. The returning officer may also raise objections.
- 12pm: Announcement of an uncontested election, if only one nominee is successful.
- 12.30pm: Successful nominees will be announced, if there is more than one.
S'pore Presidential Nomination Day on 22 Aug 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
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2023
At the close of applications for a Certificate of Eligibility on 17 August 2023, 5:30pm, the Presidential Elections Committee (Committee) received a total of 6 applications. The Committee has issued a Certificate of Eligibility to the following:
- Mr Ng Kok Song
- Mr Shanmugaratnam Tharman
- Mr Tan Kin Lian.
Mr Ng Kok Song applied under Article 19(3)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Constitution). Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Ng is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee noted that Mr Ng was the Group Chief Investment Officer of GIC Private Limited for a period exceeding 3 years. The Committee is also satisfied, having regard to the nature of Mr Ng’s office in GIC Private Limited and Mr Ng’s performance in the office, that Mr Ng has experience and ability that is comparable to the experience and ability of a person who satisfies Article 19(3)(b) of the Constitution. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Ng has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of President.
Mr Shanmugaratnam Tharman applied under Article 19(3)(a) of the Constitution. Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Tharman is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Tharman has met the public sector service requirement under Article 19(3)(a), having held office for a period of 3 or more years as Minister.
Mr Tan Kin Lian applied under Article 19(4)(b) of the Constitution. Based on the information available to the Committee, it is satisfied that Mr Tan is a man of integrity, good character and reputation. The Committee noted that Mr Tan was the Chief Executive Officer of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited for a period exceeding 3 years. The Committee is satisfied, having regard to the nature of Mr Tan’s office in NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited, the size and complexity of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited and Mr Tan’s performance in the office, that Mr Tan has experience and ability that is comparable to the experience and ability of a person who has served as the chief executive of a typical company with at least S$500 million of shareholders’ equity and who satisfies Article 19(4)(a) of the Constitution in relation to such service. The Committee is also satisfied that Mr Tan
has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the
office of President.
The upcoming 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; andiv. 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
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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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
