While previous Presidential elections (PE) have been held during August, the PE will be held in September this year instead.

Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), shared this in a speech in Parliament today on the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill. He explained that the change in timing was so that future campaigning periods for the PE would take place outside of the National Day period.

Chan also shared that individuals who wish to run for PE can apply for a certificate of eligibility three months before the end of the incumbent President's term of office.

President Tony Tan's term ends on 31 Aug 2017 and individuals who want to apply for a certificate of eligibility (COE) can do so on 1 Jun 2017.

Chan also touched upon several changes to the upcoming PE.

Community Declaration

Chan shared that individuals who want to run for President would need also to declare which community (Chinese, Malay, Indian or Other Minority Communities) they identify with. Individuals can only identify with one community.

They will submit a community declaration to the Community Committee where sub-committees for each specific community will decide if an individual indeed belongs to a particular committee and issue them a community certificate.

For example, the Malay sub-committee of the Community Committee will decide if an individual who identifies with being part of the Malay community is indeed part of it before issuing him/her a community certificate.

In another example, an individual born to a Malay father and Chinese mother will have to choose between the Malay or Chinese community to identify with, and the corresponding sub-committee will decide if that individual belongs to that community.

Statutory Declaration

Chan also said that candidates will have to make a statutory declaration to declare he/she understands the role of the President. This is to show the electorate that the candidate is aware that he/she should not make promises or statements that are not within a President's role.

The Presidential Elections Committee can now apply to void an election on grounds that an elected candidate made materially false or misleading statements.

More TV time, less rallies?

Chan quoted the Constitutional Commission's report which said, "Presidential candidates should be required to conduct their campaigns with rectitude and dignity as befits the office and comports wiht the unifying role and purpose of the Presidency."

He said that the Government agreed with the Constitutional Commission and noted that a distinction had to be made between Parliamentary Elections, where campaigning was based on policies, and Presidential Elections, where there were no policy agendas to be advanced.

As the Presidential Elections is on a national level, Chan said the Government will increase the amount of television airtime for candidates.

The Government would no longer provide rally sites during PE but candidates can still apply to the Police for a permit if they wish to hold rallies.

Top image by Icemoon

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