28/08/2023

Return to Nominated Presidency from Elected Presidency?

Presidential Election 2023: Red Dot United proposes abolishing Elected Presidency and exploring various mechanisms to protect the reserves

While Singaporeans prepare to head to the polls to elect their ninth president on Sept 1, opposition party Red Dot United has taken a bold stance by advocating for the abolition of the Elected Presidency and the restoration of its ceremonial role. With the proposal to abolish the elected presidency, Red Dot United is calling for the establishment of a constitutional commission. This commission would conduct a comprehensive study on creating an independent mechanism to effectively protect the nation’s reserves.

President Wee Kim Wee served as the final president appointed by parliament from 1985 to 1993. However, following a constitutional amendment in 1991, Singapore held its first presidential election two years later. Former Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong emerged as the winner with 58.69% of the popular vote against Chua Kim Yeow to become Singapore’s first elected president. “Recognising the evolving dynamics surrounding the Elected Presidency, Red Dot United acknowledges the importance of preserving the President’s historical role as the chief diplomat of the Republic and as a unifying figure for all Singaporeans while also addressing the custodial responsibility of protecting Singapore’s reserves,” shared Red Dot United.

To achieve this, the party is suggesting a two-pronged approach:
  • RDU advocates for returning to the original vision of the Presidency as a symbolic and unifying figurehead. By refraining from political involvement and policy initiation, the President can focus on representing the nation domestically and internationally, fostering national unity, and promoting Singapore’s interests on the global stage.
  • Studying a separate, independent mechanism: RDU proposes the establishment of a dedicated mechanism to safeguard the reserves, which are currently entrusted to the Office of the Elected President. This mechanism should operate independently, ensuring transparency, accountability, and prudent decision-making. RDU emphasises the need for a comprehensive study by a Constitutional Commission, mandated by appropriate Terms of Reference, to explore various proposals and learn from best practices in other jurisdictions.

Abolish Elected Presidency, Take Measures to Safeguard Reserves

Today, we officially made the call to abolish the Elected Presidency and revert the Office of the President to a ceremonial role. We also called for the convening of a Constitutional Commission to thoroughly study the establishment of an independent mechanism aimed at ensuring the safeguarding of the nation's reserves.

Recognising the evolving dynamics surrounding the Elected Presidency, Red Dot United (RDU_ acknowledges the importance of preserving the President's historical role as the chief diplomat of the Republic and as a unifying figure for all Singaporeans while also addressing the custodial responsibility of protecting Singapore's reserves.

To achieve this, RDU suggests the following course of action:
  • Reverting to the Ceremonial Presidency: RDU advocates for returning to the original vision of the Presidency as a symbolic and unifying figurehead. By refraining from political involvement and policy initiation, the President can focus on representing the nation domestically and internationally, fostering national unity, and promoting Singapore's interests on the global stage.
  • Studying a Separate, Independent Mechanism: RDU proposes the establishment of a dedicated mechanism to safeguard the reserves, which are currently entrusted to the Office of the Elected President. This mechanism should operate independently, ensuring transparency, accountability, and prudent decision-making. RDU emphasises the need for a comprehensive study by a Constitutional Commission, mandated by appropriate Terms of Reference, to explore various proposals and learn from best practices in other jurisdictions.
By reverting the Office of the President to a ceremonial role and setting up a Constitutional Commission to study the implementation of a separate and independent mechanism to protect the assets of the nation, RDU aims to strike a balance between preserving the President's historical role as a unifying figure for all Singaporeans and effectively safeguarding Singapore's reserves.


Singapore should return to having Parliament appoint president: Tan Kin Lian
Mr Tan Kin Lian said perhaps it was best to return to the system where the president is appointed by Parliament. PHOTO: TAN KIN LIAN/FACEBOOK

Singapore would be better off with the old system where the president is appointed by Parliament, said presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian.

No point having an elected president if his hands are tied on issues, he added. “I got a lot of notices about what are the things I cannot do, so I think it is quite an unproductive exercise,” he said at a members-only event organised by the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) on Saturday afternoon. “I think we should change.”

He was taking questions in the Meet Our Presidential Candidates series held at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, which was moderated by NUSS second vice-president Nakoorsha A.K., and attended by more than 90 participants. It was live-streamed on Mr Tan’s Facebook page.
Workers’ Party Says Presidential Candidate Criteria Skewed Towards PAP-Approved People

Workers’ Party asserted that it does not endorse any presidential candidate because it thinks current system should be abolished. In a media advisory on Wednesday (30 Aug), the WP announced that it has received queries from various mainstream media outlets on this matter.

The party stated that the current qualifying criteria for presidential candidates is “skewed towards PAP-approved candidates”. WP noted that the elected presidency in its current form undermines parliamentary democracy. The advisory reads:
“It also serves as an unnecessary source of gridlock – one that could potentially cripple a non-PAP government within its first term – and is an alternative power centre that could lead to political impasses.”
WP then went on to highlight that it has consistently voiced its objection to the elected presidency. In fact, the party has believed for over 30 years that Singapore should abolish it and revert to a ceremonial presidency.



The Workers' Party 4 d

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲

We refer to queries from various mainstream media outlets.

The Workers’ Party’s views on the office of the Elected President (EP) and the role of the President of Singapore, are set out in the Party manifesto, as well as in a 2016 submission to a Constitutional Commission on the Elected Presidency. The Party’s position has also been set out in the course of parliamentary debates over the years.

The Workers’ Party believes that the current qualifying criteria for presidential candidates is skewed towards PAP-approved candidates and the EP in its current form undermines parliamentary democracy. It also serves as an unnecessary source of gridlock - one that could potentially cripple a non-PAP government within its first term - and is an alternative power centre that could lead to political impasses. The Workers’ Party has consistently voiced its objection to and called for the abolishment of the EP, and to revert to a ceremonial presidency, which has been the Party’s position for over three decades. 

“How can a President be for the people if it’s limited to narrow elites?”
Singaporeans on PE2023 showcases different opinions in street interview

A street interview of Singaporeans sharing their insights on the 2023 Presidential Elections has garnered attention online. When asked to share their two cents on the matter, Singaporeans who participated in a video by RICE Media had these things to say:
  • The idea is that the president is supposed to be for the people. For me, S$500 million shareholders’ equity [as a qualifying criterion] is a bit too much. How can that someone be for the people if it’s limited to such a narrow elite?
  • “To quote my friend, ‘The president is there to cut ribbons and go NDP,’ said one, while another admitted, “I’m not really sure what the president does.”
The video host reported that the nation will be heading to the polls to elect its next president. “Who will Singaporeans vote in as their president and how much do they genuinely care about this pivotal public role?” she asked.
Return to nominated presidency a key call at final hearing

In the final public hearing conducted by the Constitutional Commission to review the Office of the President, impassioned calls were made to abolish the Elected Presidency and return to the previous system of nomination by the Government, even as the commission doubted the feasibility of doing so in today’s political climate.

Among the four parties who presented their submissions yesterday, former Nominated Member of Parliament Loo Choon Yong and constitutional law expert Kevin Tan argued for the President to be elected by Parliament as was the case before 1991.

The four public hearings, which began last month, saw 19 individuals and groups attend. The key issues raised include ensuring minority representation and revising the qualifying criteria for presidential candidates. Some felt that engineering a system to ensure minority representation would go against the principle of meritocracy. On setting a higher bar for those seeking to become candidates for the presidency, some were concerned it would drastically reduce the pool of those eligible, and further affect the chances of minority representation in the process.


Return to nominated presidency a key call at final hearing

NUS second year law students Ms Grace Teo, Ms Carina Kam, Ms Amelia Chew and Mr Russell Wong, were among those who presented their proposals to the Commission at the final public hearing conducted by the Constitutional Commission to review the Office of the President.

They suggested broadening the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates to include individuals holding key management posts, and also spoke against introducing provisions to ensure minority representation.


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.


QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
Presidential Election Results

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; or
d.  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; and
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.


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

Presidential Election Results
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