Even if you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about the upcoming Presidential Elections in Singapore.
And if you’re still clueless as to what part you’re playing (or if you’re even playing a part at all) in the elections, here’s your chance to find out.
Just yesterday (14 June), the Elections Department (ELD) announced that the Registers of Electors have been revised.
This means the full, updated list of qualified voters has been uploaded to the registers as of 1 June.
Members of the public will also be able to conduct public inspections of the registers from 15 June to 28 June to find out if they are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
Previously, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had requested for ELD to conduct the revision by 31 July.
How to Check if You Can Vote
And if you’re still wondering if you’re allowed to vote, here’s how you can find out.
From now until 28 June, you can access ELD’s website and log in with your Singpass account to check if you are listed in the Registers of Electors.
Alternatively, you can also do so via the “My Profile” section in the Singpass mobile application or through the “Home” section of the LifeSG mobile application or website.
Members of the public who cannot verify their particulars via online means can also head down to community centres (CCs) or ServiceSG centres near them.
However, if you’re heading down in person, do remember to make an appointment by contacting the ELD office through their website or hotline at 1800-225-5353.
On the other hand, Singapore overseas missions will act as overseas registration centres. They will allow those unable to check the registers online to do so in person.
How to Submit Claims and Objections
On another note, if you need to update ELD about any issues regarding your voting eligibility or particulars, this is the time to do so as well.
Throughout the inspection period, Singaporeans can submit claims to ELD if their name has been excluded or if their personal particulars have been updated and are different from their NRICs.
Objections can also be filed to request for someone else’s name to be removed from the electoral division they belong to.
As of now, members of the public can file claims and objections through the “Voter Services” page on ELD’s website, at the LED office, as well as Singapore overseas missions that are serving as registration centres.
“A claimant list containing a list of claims will subsequently be made available for inspection during the period from 12 July 2023 to 19 July 2023 at community centres/clubs/ServiceSG centres located within the electoral division, ELD office and Singapore overseas missions serving as overseas registration centres,” ELD added.
How to Restore Names for Those Who Did Not Vote in Past Elections
During this period of public inspection, Singaporeans whose names were removed from the registers in the past can also submit applications to ELD to get their names restored in the registers, which will allow them to vote in future elections.
This only applies to those whose names were removed due to a failure to vote in a past election.
“They are encouraged to apply early. Under the law, we will not be able to restore their names during the period from the date the Writ for an Election is issued until after Nomination Day if the election is not contested, or until after Polling Day if a poll is to be taken,” ELD explained.
With current President Halimah Yacob announcing earlier this year that she will not be running for president in the upcoming elections, her tenure as president will conclude on 13 September 2023.
It was also revealed that the application period for the Certificates of Eligibility (COE) would start on 13 June, meaning that the elections can happen anytime from now onwards.
ELD also clarified on Monday (12 June) that the elections should be held either being President Halimah steps down or shortly after she does so.
Currently, three individuals have expressed interest in running for the role of Singapore’s next president.
They are Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, businessman George Goh Ching Wah, and…
Former secondary school teacher Seng Soon Kia.
(Who claimed he was the president for one year in 1951 but was born in 1952.)