Voter Education
A comprehensive guide to understanding Singapore's electoral process
Disclaimer
This page is not an official source of information on Singapore's electoral process. For authoritative information, please refer to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD). Visit the ELD website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.
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Help users understand the fundamentals of how general elections work in Singapore.
1.1 Introduction to General Elections
What are General Elections?
A General Election in Singapore is held to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) who will form the next government. Elections must be held at least once every 5 years, though they can be called earlier.
The political party that wins the majority of seats in Parliament will form the Government, and its leader typically becomes the Prime Minister.
Key Dates & Milestones
- 1Dissolution of Parliament
The President dissolves Parliament on the Prime Minister's advice.
- 2Writ of Election
The President issues a Writ specifying the date of the election.
- 3Nomination Day
Candidates submit their nomination papers. Campaign period begins after nominations close.
- 4Campaign Period
Typically 9 days for candidates to campaign and rally support.
- 5Cooling-off Day
24 hours before Polling Day where no campaigning is allowed.
- 6Polling Day
Voters cast their ballots at designated polling stations.
1.2 Who Can Vote? (Voter Eligibility)
Eligibility Criteria
In Singapore, voting is compulsory for all eligible citizens. You are eligible to vote if you:
- Are a Singapore citizen
- Are at least 21 years old on the date of the Writ of Election
- Have a Singapore residential address
- Are not disqualified from being an elector under any law
Eligible voters are automatically registered in the Registers of Electors, which are revised before each election.
Walk through the practical steps of voting – from checking registration to casting a valid ballot.
2.1 Checking Your Registration
Voter Services ePortal
Before an election, you should check if you are registered as an elector. You can do this easily online through the ELD's eServices portal.
How to check your voter status:
- Visit the ELD eServices portal
- Log in with your Singpass
- Check your registration status and polling district
2.2 Where & How to Vote
Finding Your Polling Station
Your polling station is assigned based on your registered address. There are several ways to find your designated polling station:
- Check your poll card (which will be mailed to you before Polling Day)
- Use the ELD's Polling Station Locator (activated closer to Polling Day)
- Call the ELD hotline
Step-by-Step Voting Procedure
Bring Your ID
Bring your NRIC or passport, along with your poll card if you have it.
Queue and Verification
Join the queue at your polling station. Election officials will verify your identity.
Receive Your Ballot Paper
You'll be given a ballot paper with the names of candidates/parties contesting in your constituency.
Mark Your Ballot
Proceed to a voting booth and mark an 'X' in the box next to your chosen candidate/party.
Cast Your Vote
Fold your ballot paper and drop it into the ballot box.
2.3 Polling Day Do's & Don'ts
- Double-check your particulars on your poll card or ePoll card
- Go in person on Polling Day during voting hours (8am to 8pm)
- Go to the polling station stated in your poll card or ePoll card
- Bring your poll card or ePoll card & acceptable documents of identity
- Mark your choice clearly with an 'X' on the ballot paper
- Fold your ballot paper inwards and drop it into the ballot box
- Respect the privacy of other voters
- Ask for assistance from Election Officials if unsure about voting procedures
Detail the laws governing campaigning, prohibited activities, and the vote counting process.
3.1 Campaigning Rules
Campaign Period
The campaign period begins after Nomination Day and ends at the start of Cooling-off Day (the day before Polling Day). During this period, candidates and their supporters can:
- Hold rallies at designated sites (with a police permit)
- Distribute flyers and other campaign materials
- Put up posters and banners in authorized locations
- Conduct door-to-door visits
- Use social media and online platforms for campaigning
All campaign activities must comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act and the relevant regulations.
Cooling-off Day
Cooling-off Day is the 24-hour period before Polling Day. During this time:
- No campaigning or election advertising is allowed
- No new election advertising may be published or displayed
- Existing posters and banners may remain
- No election rallies or gatherings may be held
- Media may report factually on the election but must not publish new material that may influence voters
The purpose of Cooling-off Day is to give voters time to reflect on the issues raised during the campaign period before casting their votes.
3.2 Election Offences
Electoral Offences & Penalties
Ballot Paper & Return Envelope Offences
- Forge, counterfeit, deface, or destroy any ballot paper or return envelope
- Supply, sell, or purchase ballot papers or return envelopes without authority
- Possess marked ballot papers or return envelopes without authorization
- Put anything other than authorized ballot papers into ballot boxes
- Take ballot papers out of polling stations or possess them outside without authority
- Open, unseal, or tamper with sealed return envelopes without authority
Nomination & Equipment Offences
- Forge, deface, or destroy nomination papers
- Submit forged nomination papers knowingly
- Interfere with ballot boxes, voting machines, or electronic voting equipment
- Print unauthorized ballot papers
- Manufacture or use devices that can manipulate ballot papers in ballot boxes
Penalties
- Fine and imprisonment up to 5 years
- 7-year ban from voting or being elected
- Immediate vacation of elected position if convicted while serving
- Attempted offences carry the same penalties
3.3 Counting of Votes & Results
Counting Process
Counting of votes cast in Singapore begins immediately after polls close at 8pm on Polling Day. The process may continue into the early hours of the next day.
Sample Count
The Returning Officer conducts a sample count to get an early indication of possible election outcome.
Counting Places
Votes are counted at designated counting places, with 3-7 places typically grouped in a counting centre.
Overseas Votes
Overseas and postal votes are counted no earlier than 10 days after Polling Day.
Recount Conditions
A recount must be conducted if the difference between the highest votes and any other candidate/group is 2% or less of total valid votes cast.
Important Notes:
- Only one recount is allowed
- All valid votes are recounted
- Overseas votes are only recounted if they could impact the final outcome
Results Announcement
Local Results
After counting is completed, the Returning Officer announces the votes for each candidate/group at the principal counting centre.
Overseas Impact
If overseas voters could affect the outcome (their number equals or exceeds the vote difference), only local results are announced first, with overseas counting date and venue to follow.
Final Declaration
The Returning Officer declares the winning candidate/group via mass media once all votes are counted and verified.
Explain who oversees and manages the elections, and their responsibilities.
4.1 Elections Department (ELD)
Primary Organizer
The Elections Department (ELD) is a department under the Prime Minister's Office responsible for planning and conducting presidential and parliamentary elections in Singapore.
Key responsibilities include:
- Training of election officials
- Maintaining and updating the Registers of Electors
- Planning for election manpower, premises, logistical and other related requirements for the conduct of elections
- Informing the public about the electoral system and voting processes
- Ensuring all electors have access to the electoral system and voting processes
- Administering the Political Donations Act and campaign spending rules
- Providing secretariat support to any appointed committee responsible for recommending changes to electoral boundaries and election committees such as the Presidential Elections Committee and Community Committee
4.2 Returning Officer & Election Officials
Returning Officer
The Returning Officer is appointed by the Prime Minister to oversee the conduct of elections. This role is typically held by a senior civil servant.
The Returning Officer's duties include:
- Receiving nomination papers from candidates
- Declaring candidates as elected (in uncontested elections)
- Supervising the counting of votes
- Announcing election results
- Ensuring the election is conducted according to law
- Instructing the removal of online election advertisements that violate regulations
The Returning Officer is assisted by various election officials, including Assistant Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, and polling and counting agents.
4.3 Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC)
Constituency Redrawing
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) is appointed by the Prime Minister before each general election to determine the electoral boundaries for use at future elections.
The EBRC's role is strictly technical and non-partisan. When making recommendations, the committee takes into account:
- Population shifts since the last boundary review
- New housing developments
- Changes in population density across different areas
Importantly, the EBRC does not examine past election results or voter profiles when delineating the new boundaries.
The committee comprises senior civil servants who are experts in these technical areas:
- Secretary to Prime Minister (Chairperson)
- Chief Executive Officer, Housing & Development Board (Member)
- Chief Executive, Singapore Land Authority (Member)
- Chief Statistician, Department of Statistics (Member)
- Head, Elections Department (Secretary)
After the EBRC submits its report, it is presented to Parliament as a White Paper. The report includes details on the number of electoral divisions, their boundaries, and which are designated as Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) or Single Member Constituencies (SMCs).
Have Questions?
If you have specific questions about the electoral process, you can contact the Elections Department directly.