Singapore to hold presidential election on Aug 27
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Singapore to hold presidential election on Aug 27
By Doug Young
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore will hold an election for the largely ceremonial post of president on August 27, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Wednesday.
The incumbent, S.R. Nathan, a former ambassador to Washington and internal security chief, said on July 12 he would run for a second term, and the 81-year-old is unlikely to face opposition.
Strict eligibility requirements, such as past experience in heading a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million ($60 million), restrict the number of candidates. Two local candidates have already been rejected, state broadcaster Channel NewsAsia said on Wednesday.
Nathan also ran unopposed in 1999 for his first term as head of state. Until 1993 the president was chosen by parliament.
Nathan, an ethnic Indian born in Singapore, has helped offset the dominance of ethnic Chinese in the government.
Singapore is a polyglot community of ethnic Chinese, Malays and Indians and representatives from all three races have held the post of president, who has the power to veto government budgets and give clemency to convicted criminals.
Nathan's presidency has been marked by harmony with the government and its dominant People's Action Party (PAP), which has governed since independence in 1965.
Nathan's predecessor Ong Teng Cheong, who became Singapore's first elected president in September 1993, had been openly critical of the government.
The announcement of the presidential vote on August 27 - which will be a public holiday -- clears the way for a parliamentary vote later this year or early in 2006.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong -- the son of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew -- was handed power in August 2004 and is expected to seek his own mandate.
A parliamentary election does not have to be held until mid-2007, but the city-state's pro-government Straits Times daily on Sunday quoted analysts and a member of parliament as saying they expected a poll as early as the fourth quarter of this year.
A precedent for early elections was set in 1991, when Goh Chok Tong -- prime minister between Lee senior and Lee junior -- called an election just nine months after he was handed power.
Analysts say that to secure strong leadership, Lee Hsien Loong must at least match his party's tally in the last poll in 2001, when Goh won 75 percent of the vote for the PAP, which controls all but two seats in parliament.
Analysts say there is no doubt that the PAP would win a comfortable majority against a cash-strapped opposition.
Copyright © 2005 Reuters -
ho say arh!
public holiday
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+1
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Yeah..another PH!!!
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No public holiday!! Because confirm it's another walkover again.
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Originally posted by tranquilice:No public holiday!! Because confirm it's another walkover again.
Go ask e Durai to vote for pres lor.... -
The official press release:
From SINGOV Government Information Website, 03 Aug 2005.
FOR BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN MEDIA
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 2005
WRIT OF ELECTION
1 The Prime Minister has issued the Writ announcing 17 August 2005
as Nomination Day and the People’s Association, 9 Stadium Link,
Singapore 397750 as the place for the nomination of candidates.
2 Polling Day is on 27 August 2005. Polling Day will be a public
holiday. Voting is compulsory.
3 Nomination Papers are now available at the office of the Returning
Officer at Elections Department, 11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949
during normal office hours, until Nomination Day.
DEPOSIT BY CANDIDATES
4 The deposit payable by each candidate is S$37,500. It shall be paid
either in cash or by a bank draft or a certified cheque. Payment can be
made at the Accountant-General’s Department, 100 High Street, #06-01,
The Treasury, Singapore 179434 or at the Nomination Centre on
Nomination Day.
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY
5 Every candidate has to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the
Presidential Elections Committee. The last day for the receipt of
applications is 6 August 2005. Application forms can be obtained from the
Secretary, Presidential Elections Committee, at Elections Department.
6 The Certificate of Eligibility shall, for the purposes of the
Presidential Election, certify that:
a. the Committee is satisfied that the person is a person of
integrity, good character and reputation; and
b. where the person states that he desires to contest the election
by virtue of being qualified under Article 19(2)(g)(iv) of the
Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, that the Committee
is of the opinion that the person, having held office for a
period of not less than 3 years in such position of seniority
and responsibility in such organisation or department in the
public or private sector as described in Article 19(2)(g)(iv) of
the Constitution, has such experience and ability in
administering and managing the financial affairs so as to
enable him to carry out effectively the functions and duties of
the office of President.
POLITICAL DONATION CERTIFICATE
7 Every candidate shall submit, together with his nomination paper
and Certificate of Eligibility and other necessary documents, a Political
Donation Certificate issued by the Registrar of Political Donations.
Application for the Certificate shall be made by submitting, in person or
through an authorised representative, a pre-election donation report and a
pre-election declaration to the Registrar of Political Donations at his office
at Elections Department not later than 4.00pm on 13 August 2005.
8 The forms for the pre-election donation report (Form 3) and
declaration (Form 4) can be obtained from Elections Department or
downloaded from its website at www.elections.gov.sg.
RETURNING OFFICER
9 The Returning Officer is Mr Tan Boon Huat who is the Chief
Executive Director of the People’ s Association.
PRIME MINISTER’ S OFFICE
3 August 2005 -
I think people will be throwing peanuts at him instead of voting him.Originally posted by progene:
Go ask e Durai to vote for pres lor.... -
As far as i can tell, Singaporeans who will be overseas on Aug 27 will only be able to vote if they have registered to be an overseas voter between Aug 28 2004 - 18 Sept 2004. I gather most have not done so. Chances are then that overseas vote numbers will be extremely, extremely small.
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i fear a terrorist attack
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I don't get it. Why bother holding an election if the incumbent is unopposed?
Am I missing something here?
MG -
I thought the registration was for the federal election?Originally posted by lwflee:As far as i can tell, Singaporeans who will be overseas on Aug 27 will only be able to vote if they have registered to be an overseas voter between Aug 28 2004 - 18 Sept 2004. I gather most have not done so. Chances are then that overseas vote numbers will be extremely, extremely small. -
Hmmm? What federal election? Do you mean parliamentary elections? I think it uses the same register. Will check up when i have more time to spare.Originally posted by iveco:I thought the registration was for the federal election? -
2 more forms being submitted today!!! Maybe there is a possibility to hold a election as there are more appliancent but don't know they will pass the test a not??? If they want to participate in the PE they must pay a deposit of $37500 that it is a lot of money!!!! If vote is less than 1/8 of the percentage it will be forfeited!!!! So how the government is doing with the money???
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Originally posted by gorby107:
for the future of singapore...whatever it is....after all they keep on treating moneky like water
2 more forms being submitted today!!! Maybe there is a possibility to hold a election as there are more appliancent but don't know they will pass the test a not??? If they want to participate in the PE they must pay a deposit of [b]$37500 that it is a lot of money!!!! If vote is less than 1/8 of the percentage it will be forfeited!!!! So how the government is doing with the money???[/b]
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bollocks man.
Compulsory voting? what UTTER BOLLOCKS!!!
Overseas students who are not under government scholarship / sponsorship are NOT given the option to vote!
So much for registering with the Singapore embassy in Canberra. BOLLOCKS! -
duplicated.
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So much for engaging our fellow citizens..they are just afraid of the individual attitudes towards the establishment since most of those who have moved abroad are in one way or another , disillusioned with the system here.All the talk about not being in touch with Singapore's happenings is just a smokescreen for the fear of giving them a voice.After all, who shoots themselves in the foot?Originally posted by ablazegal:bollocks man.
Compulsory voting? what UTTER BOLLOCKS!!!
Overseas students who are not under government scholarship / sponsorship are NOT given the option to vote!
So much for registering with the Singapore embassy in Canberra. BOLLOCKS! -
hmmm - are you sure? There is no mention of this in the election website that is referred to earlier. The website just states that you must have registered yourself as an overseas voter, and from what i gather, the registration period is over.Originally posted by ablazegal:bollocks man.
Compulsory voting? what UTTER BOLLOCKS!!!
Overseas students who are not under government scholarship / sponsorship are NOT given the option to vote!
So much for registering with the Singapore embassy in Canberra. BOLLOCKS!
Are they perhaps giving government sponsered students a 2nd chance to register?
I'm confused. -
I think Overseas voting is limited to govt scholars and employees there on govt business, and those who have been resident here most of the time..smtg like that..this was stated in the last GE, when they wanted to into overseas voting but ended up not doing so.Originally posted by lwflee:hmmm - are you sure? There is no mention of this in the election website that is referred to earlier. The website just states that you must have registered yourself as an overseas voter, and from what i gather, the registration period is over.
Are they perhaps giving government sponsered students a 2nd chance to register?
I'm confused. -
I think your information is outdated.
From: Government Consulation Panel Website
and
Title Allow overseas voting
Date of Feedback 5/12/2002
Dear Sir/Mdm,
Overseas voting should be allowed. This is long overdue for implementation. I believe this is a way of signalling to overseas Singaporeans that the government values their votes, as well as engaging them in Singapore's domestic developments.
It is ironic that Singaporeans are eligible to vote in the UK elections as resident Commonwealth citizens but do not enjoy the same right (not privilege) for their own country.
For your comment, please.
Date of Reply 10/12/2002
Dear contributor,
Please refer to your feedback on Overseas voting.
You may wish to know that overseas voting has been allowed. On 19 April 2001, Parliament passed legislation to provide for voting by Singapore Citizens abroad at designated overseas polling stations. The Singapore High Commission in London is one of the 5 overseas polling stations so designated. If not for the September 11 incident, we would have proceeded with overseas voting at the 2001 General Election held on 3 November last year.
The Elections Department is currently looking into increasing the number of overseas polling stations to allow more Singapore Citizens abroad to vote overseas at the future elections.
PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
From:SG Gov't Elections Website
The list of overseas polling stations can be found here.
When you register to vote overseas, you will also be assigned by the Registration Officer to vote at one of the overseas polling stations located within Singapore’s High Commissions, Embassies or Consulates.
Not all of Singapore’s High Commissions, Embassies or Consulates have been designated as polling stations as many do not have the necessary security and/or numbers of personnel to conduct an election overseas.
You can check which is your Overseas Polling Station at this page by keying in your NRIC number *.
* This service is available only after the writ of election is issued.
Overseas Polling Stations will stay open for at least 4 hours for you to cast your vote. However, you must cast your vote overseas before Polling Day in Singapore ends. Polling Day and voting hours for voting overseas can therefore differ because of the time zones of the different overseas polling stations. The date and hours for voting at each overseas polling station will be available on this page immediately after the Writ of Election is issued.
Last Updated on: 01 Sep 2004
Lastly, how to register as an overseas voter?Singapore will have overseas voting in future elections. Eligible Singapore Citizens who are working or residing overseas and wish to cast their votes at any of the overseas polling stations may apply to be registered as overseas electors.
Application for registration must be made by the submission of a duly completed and signed "Application To Be Overseas Elector" Form to Elections Department or any overseas registration centre. All applications must be submitted either in person or by registered post between 28 September 2004 and 18 October 2004 (my emphasis). Overseas Singapore Citizens who happen to be back in Singapore during the registration period may also apply for registration to be overseas electors at any inspection centre (for inspecting the Registers of Electors) in Singapore.
You may also logon here and follow the instructions on the computer screen to key in the information required for registration. After doing so, you can then print out the completed Application Form, sign it and send it together with a photocopy each of any supporting document you have, to Elections Department or any overseas registration centre by registered post within the registration period.
Printed application forms are available from Elections Department or any of the overseas registration centres, Contact Singapore Centre or Singapore Club, or inspection centres in Singapore.
For more information on registration to be overseas electors, you may refer to the set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Last Updated on: 29 Sep 2004 -
absolutely. You have to register yourself. but there is absolutely NO option amongst the options a-g (or h, was it, I can't remember), for overseas Singaproeans who are not under a governement sponsorship or the like. Overseas students are overlooked.Originally posted by lwflee:hmmm - are you sure? There is no mention of this in the election website that is referred to earlier. The website just states that you must have registered yourself as an overseas voter, and from what i gather, the registration period is over.
Are they perhaps giving government sponsered students a 2nd chance to register?
I'm confused. -
They are Mr S R NathanOriginally posted by F Bunta:It's reported that 4 persons have applied for the presidency. Do you know who they are?
Mr Ooi Boon Wee???
Mr Andrew Kuan (former JTC CFO)
Mr Unknown (nobody knows who is he even the media too) -
I can't find any reference to the relevent legislation (which i think reflects on the quality of Singapore government press releasesOriginally posted by ablazegal:absolutely. You have to register yourself. but there is absolutely NO option amongst the options a-g (or h, was it, I can't remember), for overseas Singaproeans who are not under a governement sponsorship or the like. Overseas students are overlooked. ). The closest i can find is this:
From SCC, July 2001.
So it appears that subject to certain residency requirements, SG citizens are allowed to register. Its only if you do not meet the requirements that an exception is made citizens overseas on govt business. [/quote]
A person must have been successfully registered as an overseas
elector before he can vote overseas. The basic requirement is
that the person must be entitled to have his named entered or
ratained in any Register of Electors for an electoral division.
In addition, he must satisfy any of the following qualifying
criteria :
a)
He is not resident in Singapore but has resided in Singapore
for an aggregate of 2 years during the period of 5 years immediately
preceding the prescribed date (which, as provided in the
Parliamentary Elections Act, "shall be 1st July or such other
date as the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
specify". Registration must be made within 21 days from the
prescribed date);
or
b)
He is :
i) A member of the SAF on full-time training or service outside
Singapore;
ii) A public officer or an employee of any public authority employed
in full-time service outside Singapore;
iii) A public officer or an employee of a public authority on
full-time training outside Singapore;
iv) A citizen of Singapore of not less than 21 years of age on
full-time training outside Singapore that is sponsored by
the Government or any public authority;
v) Employed outside Singapore by an international organization
of which Singapore is a member or any other body or
organisation designated by the President under Article 135
(1) (c) (ii) of the Singapore Constitution; or
vi) The spouse, or a parent, child or dependent of any person
referredto in (1) to (v) above and is living with that person.
Seriously, the govt MUST improve the quality of their press releases. Dunno what the fuck they are doing
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Originally posted by gorby107:
Err.. I tought it was croco. He confrim he had collected the application.
They are [b]Mr S R Nathan
Mr Ooi Boon Wee???
Mr Andrew Kuan (former JTC CFO)
Mr Unknown (nobody knows who is he even the media too)[/b]