GE2025: What if something untoward happens to a candidate before Polling Day, like death or injury?

We saw twists and turns happen on Nomination Day.

No reason not to expect more of the same as Singaporeans head to the polls.

But what if something really bad happens?

Like if a candidate dies, becomes incapacitated, or decides that they want to withdraw?

(For legal reasons, this is all entirely hypothetical and for educational purposes only.)

Withdrawal

Let's say you have a change of heart after Nomination Day.

Your dog dies, you mess up a rally speech, maybe you just feel like quitting your job and moving to a farm in rural New Zealand. (Been there.)

Unfortunately, according to Section 32 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, a candidate can only withdraw before 12pm on Nomination Day.

He or she can do so by giving a notice informing the returning officer — that's this guy here — of his decision, in person.

Afterwards, the candidate can no longer withdraw his candidature.

This is with the exception of...

Death

If a nominated candidate dies before Polling Day, the returning officer first confirms that the unfortunate candidate is, indeed, dead.

He cancels the notice for the poll.

Then, he appoints a fresh date, time, and place for the nomination of the (replacement) candidate, at least four days in advance.

Like the other candidates, the new candidate has to go through the proceedings of Nomination Day.

This means he or she has to present themselves with their nomination papers, election deposits, and certificates.

In the case of a GRC, the other candidates don't have to get re-nominated.

That's some good news, I guess.

Incapacity

But let's say (touch wood) something bad happens apart from death.

The candidate gets into an accident, falls ill, or ends up in some way or another incapacitated. But, y'know, not dead.

Could they also be replaced with a fresh nominee?

The Elections Department (ELD) confirmed with Mothership that, unlike with a death, the law doesn't allow for a new candidate to be nominated.

This means that the election has to go ahead with the incapacitated candidate — whether they're the sole member in an SMC, or part of the team in a GRC.

The show must go on.

Crime

So far, we've covered what happens if a candidate can't, or doesn't want to stand for election anymore.

But what if a candidate does want to — but for whatever reason, goes rogue during a campaign, bribing voters and threatening rivals?

According to the law, that's a corrupt or illegal practice, and warrants disqualification.

If a judge finds that an individual has indeed acted corruptly or illegally — like if he or she tries to stop voters from electing the candidates they actually preferred — that person, even if they win the majority of the votes, may find their election declared invalid.

In that case, the High Court can declare that the person's office is vacant.

With an empty seat in Parliament, the Prime Minister could either leave the spot unfilled until the next General Election, or call for a by-election.

Now you know.

Top image by Ilyda Chua