S'pore's Polling Day is on Saturday, May 3. Is it a public holiday?

Singaporeans will head to the polls to vote this general election on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

So, do we get an extra public holiday?

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website, if a public holiday falls on a non-working day, you are entitled to another day off or an extra day's salary in lieu of the public holiday, in accordance to the Employment Act.

If it's a public holiday on your rest day, the following working day will be a paid public holiday.

So, if the public holiday falls on a Saturday, and you're not working on Saturdays, you should get a day off or salary in lieu.

If you are not covered by the Employment Act, you will abide by the terms of your employment contract, the MOM website indicated.

If you have to work on the public holiday, then you should be compensated with a day off, time off in lieu or an extra day's salary.

Do you need to vote if you are working on polling day?

According to the MOM website, since voting is compulsory in Singapore, eligible Singaporeans who can vote need to do so even if they are working that day.

MOM stated that under the law, all employers must give employees, who are voters, a reasonable period of time for voting.

Employees need to promptly inform their employers to request for time-off, so that appropriate work arrangements can be made to cover duties when employees are voting.

Polling hours are from 8am to 8pm.

Here's a summary of different possible scenarios if you work on May 3:

Top image by Zheng Zhangxin.