Presidential Election Singapore

Presidential Election Singapore

The Returning Officer has approved nine symbols for use by potential candidates for the coming Presidential Election.

These symbols include a piano, a scroll, a violin and a pair of binoculars.

The announcement comes a day after the Elections Department said the ballot paper for the Presidential Election will include the photographs of candidates.

The Elections Department said this will allow voters to recognise the candidates more easily and facilitate their marking of voting choice on the ballot paper.

The change in the format of the ballot paper was one of the rules and regulations gazetted on Tuesday.

In the 1993 Presidential Election, candidates used self-chosen logos next to their names but not pictures of themselves.

This year, Nomination Day for the election has been set for 17 August, and 27 August will be Polling Day and a public holiday if there is a contest.

President S R Nathan has said he will not be contesting the election after serving two six-year terms.

But five potential candidates have indicated their interest.

Four of them - former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan, former Ayer Rajah MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock, former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian and former opposition party member Tan Jee Say - have submitted their applications for a Certificate of Eligibility to contest the election.

One other, Andrew Kuan, has collected the forms.

But more candidates could still come forward, as those interested have another three days till August 6 to submit their application forms.

The Presidential Elections Committee will assess their applications and issue certificates to those it judges to be of integrity, good character and reputation, with the necessary experience for the post of Elected President. This includes executive and financial experience in government or a statutory board or a company worth at least S$100 million for at least three years.