Everyone remembers the star of the 2011 General Election (GE) - Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee. All eyes were on him (on the TV to be accurate), as with a perpetually straight face and steady tone, he read out the winning and losing candidates, their parties, and the number of votes they received.

Do we also remember that he announced the number of rejected votes for each constituency?

At the 7 May 2011 GE, of 2,060,373 votes cast, 44,737 were considered invalid - either because they were left blank or spoilt. Now this only makes 2.17% of the total votes cast, but just look at the number again:

44,737

That’s some 45,000 people who actually decided to throw their vote! (We’re assuming the majority did not end up spoiling their votes unintentionally.)

Why did they do it? Will this happen again?

Fast forward to another four years: the polls have closed and we're awaiting the results. Before the polls opened, Mothership spoke to real Singaporeans who would have likely spoiled their vote:

1. The Anarchist: Dan Wong, 32, Illustrator

This guy isn’t happy about the candidates contesting at his constituency, and neither is he afraid to make a bold statement about it.

"I believe and support the state’s current measures to rectify existing issues in housing, inequality and education. However I don’t support any of the individuals contesting in my ward. It goes against my conscience to vote for leaders of poor character or who are inept. If both parties don’t buck up their game by polling day, I will draw a giant penis on my voting slip." 

2. The “I’m-still-deciding” guy: Lee Kwok Onn, 30, Graphic Artist

This guy feels that the choices offered to him are just not good enough. Was he able to choose the better of two evils, or did he go for neither?

"I don’t want to vote towards a party that doesn’t dare to make drastic changes for the better of society. I’m not keen on voting for the incumbent but the opposition in my ward seem worse. I feel that neither side has earned my vote. Though my opinion is highly subject to change over the coming weeks."

3. The Social Activist: Tan Jun Han, 25, Political Science Major

This person isn’t a fan of the political agenda because it fails to include the issues closer to her heart. As such, she cannot bring herself to cast a vote for either party.

"The matters that I’m concerned are issues that are not being raised by any political party. These include human and animal rights issues, LGBT issues and environmental issues. Maybe these concerns are just not popular I suppose! As such, I cannot, in good conscience vote for any party. I can’t not vote, hence I will spoil my vote as an electoral choice."

4. The Political Activist

This person is protesting against the notion of mandatory voting. He or she takes part in the “voting: privilege or right?” debate.

"While we have not encountered any Singaporeans who have told us this, there is actually a campaign in the UK (http://www.spoilyourvote.co.uk/) to introduce the concept of a spoilt vote as a legit option."

5. The person who thinks their doesn’t matter because their in a PAP stronghold: 48-year-old, freelancer

You get what I mean.

“...even if I spoil my vote, PAP is very strong in my constituency because of Lee Hsien Loong. They will probably win anyway.”

6. The Guy Who Feels Trapped: 40-year-old, Digital Media Strategist

This guy feels trapped by the system! He pretty much has lots of questions and no answers.

“The question is what to do if you don’t believe any of the parties can represent you? Who would I vote for honestly? The opposition seems like a bizarre knee jerk joke without any ideals while the government does what it wants. Would YOU spoil you vote?”

7. The ‘bo chup’

This person has not kept up with the news, has not been to any rallies, and has no clue what the logos on that ballot paper mean!

Well yes for this election, candidates' photos were added to help voters identify them better. But no doubt there might be people who just don’t care.

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Who is to say what will happen? We at Mothership are certainly on the edge of our seats. And possibly, even you couldn't know for sure after you cast your vote.

But this is a choice you get to make once every four, five years. Are you still the undecided boy in class who doesn't raise his hand to either options A or B?

For those of you who spoiled your votes, hope you didn't do any of the following: