Singapore President Tony Tan will leave office on Aug. 31, 2017, ending six years in the Istana.

Tan started his role as Singapore's seventh president on Sept. 1, 2011, after narrowly beating the likes of Tan Cheng Bok, Tan Kin Lian, and Tan Jee Say in the last Presidential Election.

Praised but...

Throughout his career, Tan was seen to have upheld the dignified role of the president by bringing gravitas to the position of chief diplomat on the international stage.

Praise from the man on the street has not come as easily though, following his tough and bruising electoral battle, which saw Tan secure just 35.2 percent of the votes -- a lead of 0.35 points over the runner-up and starting his presidency without a solid mandate.

[related_story]

Interim president

In his absence until the next president is elected, J. Y. Pillay, chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, will be acting president.

Here's what will happen from now until the new president is elected on Sept. 23, 2017:

Successful applicants issued certificates: Sept. 12

Presidential candidates will find out if they qualify.

Qualification depends on an endorsement by a Community Committee (since this year's election is reserved for Malays), company size, or civil service track record.

If all candidates qualify, they will begin their campaigning efforts to win over voters for Polling Day.

They must choose from this set of approved symbols to be used next to their names on the ballot papers:

Nomination Day: Sept. 13

Campaigning: Sept. 14 to Sept. 21

Cooling-off Day: Sept. 22

All campaigning is disallowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed, according to Gov.sg.

Polling Day: Sept. 23

Voters go to the polls and the results of the election will be out within the same day.

Of course, this is all assuming there isn't going to be a walkover.

Here are some totally unrelated but equally interesting stories:

Quiz: What kind of Singaporean will you be in a crisis?

Big shot bosses share the real reasons why they would hire someone

Top image of Tony Tan during his 2011 presidential campaign via NAS