Voting in Singapore

General

What is the Elections Department?

Elections Department (ELD) is a department under the Prime Minister’s office. It prepares and manages all elections and any national referendum in Singapore.
Learn more about ELD.

What are the operating hours of Elections Department?

Operating hours are from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. We are closed on weekends and public holidays.

How do I contact the Elections Department?

You can contact ELD via email or call 1800 225 5353. Alternatively, you may visit our website for more information.

How do we ensure that elections in Singapore are free and fair?

Elections in Singapore are governed by the Parliamentary Elections Act and Presidential Elections Act. The law provides for a clear and transparent framework which ensures the integrity of the elections.

By way of example, there are equal opportunities for all participants to observe and monitor the election process. After the close of polls, the presiding officer is required to secure the ballot boxes and the Candidates, or their agents may affix their own seals. Before vote counting begins, Candidates and their counting agents are allowed to witness the opening of each ballot box and the taking out of the papers therein. Candidates and their counting agents can also be present during the counting of the votes and raise objections on the validity of any vote.

When is the next election due?

The next election that will take place will be the General Election which is due in 2025.

The Parliament has a term of 5 years but may be dissolved at any time before the expiry of its 5-year term by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Hence the next General Election must be held by November 2025, on the assumption that the current Parliament runs its full term.

Why is Internet voting not introduced in Singapore?

ELD has studied the feasibility of Internet voting. Internet voting has various challenges like difficulties in authenticating voters, preventing impersonation and ensuring voting secrecy. In addition, there are system reliability issues and security risks, such as vulnerability to hacking and cyber-attacks which had happened in other jurisdictions.

For now, voting by paper ballot at polling stations is still the surest method of voting to ensure the integrity and secrecy of our voting process.

Is my use of ELD’s digital services and the information I have provided to ELD kept private?

Yes. ELD’s digital services are to provide greater convenience to voters, political parties, candidates and their election agents.

ELD only uses the data provided by users for the purpose of processing the transactions.

There is a post asking people not to vote on Polling Day. Is that allowed?

Voting at Singapore's elections is compulsory. It is as much a fundamental right of citizenship as it is a civic responsibility to be exercised by citizens to choose and elect their leaders in a democracy. All qualified electors must vote on Polling Day.

It is an offence for any person who by word, message, writing or in any other manner dissuade or attempt to dissuade another person between Nomination and Polling day (both days inclusive) from casting his vote at the election.

Can I share a mini election survey conducted amongst my personal friends on my Facebook page? Can I do a poll of who my friends had voted for after they have voted, on my Facebook page?

Under the law, the publication of the results of election surveys and exit polls before the close of polls is prohibited.

Voting Eligibility

Am I eligible to vote?

You can vote if your name is in the certified Register of Electors (RE) for an electoral division (constituency). Your name will be included in the RE before polling day if you are:
  1. A Singapore citizen;
  2. At least 21 years of age;
  3. Not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law
    (a) Registered Singapore address on NRIC or,
    (b) If residing overseas, has registered a Local Contact Address (LCA).
Learn more about the qualifying criteria.

Why do I need to vote?

Voting is compulsory in Singapore. It is a fundamental right of citizenship and a civic responsibility of citizens to choose and elect their leaders in a democracy. All Singapore citizens whose names are in the Registers of Electors have to cast their votes on Polling Day.

What happens if I don't vote?

If you are unable to vote on Polling Day, your name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election. You may apply to restore your name online at Voter Services, using your Singpass, so that you will be eligible to vote in future elections in Singapore.

How do I check if I am eligible to vote?

You may check your eligibility as follows:

  1. Online via Singpass app;
  2. Online at the Elections Department Voter Services using your Singpass;
  3. At community centres/clubs and ServiceSG Centres (with NRIC/passport);
  4. At Singapore overseas missions serving as overseas registration centres (with NRIC/passport); or
  5. At the Elections Department office, (with NRIC/passport) by making an e-appointment.

Why am I not eligible to vote?

Your voting eligibility is dependent on your citizenship, age and whether you have voted in the last election.

What if I did not vote in the previous election?

If you failed to vote at a previous election:
  1. Your name will be removed from the certified Register of Electors of the electoral division that you belong to.
  2. You cannot vote at subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections.
You may apply to restore your name to the register at Voter Services using your Singpass. Or you may seek over-the-counter assistance at any community centre/club or the Elections Department. A fee of $50 will be imposed if you do not have a valid reason for not voting. Early application for restoration of name to the Registers of Electors is strongly encouraged. No restoration can be made once a Writ for an election is issued.

Who are non-voters?

Non-voters are Singapore citizens who meet the qualifying criteria, but failed to vote at a previous election. They have also not restored their names to the Registers of Electors.

Can a permanent resident vote?

Permanent residents are not eligible to vote in Singapore.

Poll Card

When and where can I get my poll card?

You will receive your poll card through the post at your latest residential address registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) 2-3 working days after Nomination Day if you are a qualified elector and your electoral division (in the case of a General Election or by-election) or the Presidential election is contested.

If you still do not receive your poll card before Polling Day, you may view/print your ePoll card at our Voter Services using Singpass after Nomination Day. Alternatively, you may seek over-the-counter assistance at the Elections Department to print your ePoll card.

Is the poll card available in digital format? Can I use it in lieu of the hardcopy poll card?

You can use the Singpass mobile app to access your ePoll card and use it in lieu of the hard copy poll card.

You can also log on to Voter Services on ELD website via Singpass to retrieve your ePoll card.

What should I do if there is a spelling error in my name on the poll card?

You can still proceed to your polling station on Polling Day with your original or digital NRIC or passport to cast your vote between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Please also bring your poll card or ePoll card to facilitate checks by the Election Official. This will help to shorten your waiting time at the polling station.

I have changed my name on my NRIC and this name is different from the one found on the Poll Card. Will I still be allowed to cast my vote?

Yes, you are still eligible to vote. You will be required to produce your original NRIC and the deed poll showing your name change to the Election Officials. The Election Officials may also require you to sign a declaration of identity form before the issuance of a ballot paper. This is to ensure that there is no impersonation.

I have received a poll card with a name that does not belong to my address. We do not know this person. Why did this happen?

The person may be a previous occupant of the address who did not change his NRIC address after he moved out. Please contact the Elections Department for follow up.

Voting on Polling Day

Is Polling Day an official holiday?

Polling Day is a public holiday for the general and presidential elections. It is not a public holiday for by-elections.

Can I vote in a polling station nearer my new address if I have moved?

The current Registers of Electors are compiled by electoral divisions based on voters’ addresses as of 1 June 2023. If you changed your address after that date, your new address will be reflected in the Registers when the Registers are next updated. Hence, if an election is called before the Registers are updated, you will be allocated to vote at a polling station in the electoral division where your previous address comes under.

What is VoteQ?

VoteQ (activated on Polling Day) is a website where a voter will be able to find out the number of voters queuing at his allotted polling station, by keying in his postal code.

How often is the queue status in Vote Q updated?

The polling station queue status will be updated in approximately 5 min intervals during the morning peak polling hours and then at approximately 10 min intervals in the less peak period in the afternoon and evening. The queue status may also be updated whenever there is a substantial change in the queue situation.

Can ELD provide an estimated waiting time instead of queue length?

The number of persons in queue is a good indication of expected waiting time and will help the voter to decide whether to go to the polling station at that time or later.

What if I will be away on Polling Day?

If you are away on Polling Day, you will not be able to cast your vote. Your name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election.

You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass. Being overseas is regarded as a valid reason for not voting and there will be no administrative fee levied when you apply to restore your name to the register.

Do I still have to vote if I am working on Polling Day?

Yes, voting is compulsory. Polling hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Under the law, all employers must give employees, who are qualified electors, a reasonable period of time for them to vote. Affected employees are advised to promptly inform their employers if they need to request for time-off, so that appropriate work arrangements can be made to cover their duties when they are away. Polling Day for a general election or presidential election (but not for a by-election) is a public holiday.

What are the approved documents of identity to enter a polling station?

The approved documents of identity to enter a polling station are the original NRIC, a digital IC, or identity cards issued by the Ministry of Defence, Singapore Police Force or Singapore Civil Defence Force for uniformed personnel, or a valid passport.

If I have lost my NRIC, can I produce the police report about the loss of my NRIC?

If you have lost your NRIC, you may use your digital IC on the Singpass app as an alternative proof of identity at the Polling Station.

What are the valid reasons for not voting?

Some valid reasons for not voting are:
  1. Working overseas (including being on a business trip) on Polling Day;
  2. Studying overseas at the time of the poll;
  3. Living with your spouse who is working or studying overseas;
  4. Overseas vacation which was planned before the poll; or
  5. Illness or childbirth.
If you are unable to vote on Polling Day, you may apply to restore your name online at Voter Services using your Singpass.

What assistance is available for voters with special needs?

There are special drop-off points near the voting areas at polling stations for vehicles carrying senior voters or voters with special needs.

Voting areas are barrier-free and wheelchairs are provided for voters who need them. Within the voting area, priority queuing is offered to these voters for the issuance of ballot papers.

At the polling station, Election Officials can help the voter mark the ballot paper upon request. All Election Officials are under oath to maintain voting secrecy. Hence, the voter’s voting choice will be secret.

Read more here.

What if I am expected to give birth on Polling Day?

There is no voting facility provided at hospitals. Your name will be removed from the registers after the elections if you are unable to vote on Polling Day.

You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass.

Hospitalisation is regarded as a valid reason for not voting. There will be no administrative fee levied on applications for restoration of names to the registers.

What happens if a voter has passed away?

The voter’s name will be removed from the Registers of Electors when they are next revised. Family members of the deceased do not need to take any action.

Can a person with a medical condition such as dementia or stroke be exempted from voting?

If an eligible voter is unable to vote on Polling Day, his name will be removed from the register of electors after the election. He may apply to restore his name to the registers at Voter Services using his Singpass.

Is there exemption for a voter staying in the hospital or nursing home?

If an eligible voter is unable to vote on Polling Day, his name will be removed from the register of electors after the election. He may apply to restore his to the registers at our website using his Singpass.

Can a voter in a drug rehabilitation centre vote?

The voter is not disqualified from voting. However, there is no voting facility provided at the drug rehabilitation centre for him to cast his vote.

If he does not vote on Polling day, his name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election. He may apply to restore his name at Voter Services using his Singpass when he is released from the centre. As he has a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied.

Can a voter in prison vote?

There is no voting facility at the prisons for a voter serving a prison sentence to cast his vote.

Hence, his name will be removed from the registers. He may apply to restore his name at Voter Services using his Singpass when he is released from prison. This will be regarded as a valid reason for not voting and there will be no administrative fee levied when he submits his application.

I am hospitalised on Polling Day. Can I vote at the hospital?

There is no voting facility provided at hospitals. Your name will be removed from the registers after Polling Day if you do not vote on Polling Day.

You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass.

Hospitalisation is regarded as a valid reason for not voting. There will be no administrative fee levied on applications for restoration of names to the registers.

Can I vote on behalf of someone who is unable to travel to the polling station?

If the voter is not able to travel to the polling station to vote, his name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after Polling Day. He may apply to restore his name to the registers when he recovers.

Can I help my relative who is physically disabled to mark his ballot paper?

Voting has to be done by the voter personally at the allotted polling station. This is to maintain voting secrecy.

If the voter is not able to travel to the polling station to vote, his name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after Polling Day.

He may apply to restore his name to the registers when he recovers.

Can the caregiver assisting the voter with special needs be allowed to join the priority queue?

One caregiver, who must be a valid voter, will be allowed to wait in the priority queue with the voter with special needs.

If help is needed with voting, the Election Officials will guide the disabled voter through the entire voting process.

The caregiver will proceed to cast his vote separately from the disabled voter and meet him at the exit.

Can a person who is not eligible to vote at the polling station accompany a senior voter?

A person who is not eligible to vote at the polling station is not allowed to enter the polling station (area demarcated by green-white tapes) and polling place (area demarcated by red-white tapes). He will have to wait outside the green-white tape.

What kind of help is provided for senior voters and voters with special needs at polling stations?

There are special drop-off points near the voting areas at polling stations for vehicles conveying senior voters and voters with special needs. Voting areas are barrier-free and wheelchairs are provided for voters who need them. Within the voting area, priority queuing is offered to these voters for the issuance of ballot papers. If they are unable to mark the ballot paper themselves may seek assistance from the Election Officials at the polling station. The Election Official will mark the ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter, and they are under oath to keep the choice of the voter secret. Hence, voters with special needs can vote freely and in secret. The integrity of voting is not compromised.

Read more here.

What kind of help is provided for visually impaired voters at polling stations?

Stencils are provided at polling stations so that they can mark the ballot paper themselves without assistance. The candidates' names are arranged in rows on the ballot paper. The boxes for voters to mark their voting choice are on the right-hand side of each row. The stencils to help blind voters vote independently come with box-shaped cut openings that align with the boxes where voters are to mark their voting choice.

When a blind voter is at the polling place, an Election Official will insert the ballot paper into the stencil and pass it to the blind voter. The Election Official will then, in the presence of polling agents who represent candidates to observe voting proceedings, read out to the blind voter the order of the candidates' names on the ballot paper. The blind voter is then able to mark his voting choice on the ballot paper independently, by feeling the cut openings on the stencil.

Will a voter lose his Pioneer Generation Package/ Merdeka Generation Package benefits if he did not vote?

A voter will not lose his Pioneer Generation/ Merdeka benefits if he did not vote in an election. His name will be removed from the register of electors for failing to vote. He may apply to the Elections Department to apply to restore his name to the registers online at our website using his Singpass. Or he may seek help over-the-counter at any community centre/club or the Elections Department.

Why is the voter required to mark a cross instead of a tick for the candidate he is voting for?

Marking an ‘X’ by voters to indicate their choice of votes is the convention not only here but in many countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. As this is the practice over the years, our voters know that ‘X’ marks their choice. In view of this, the self-inking stamp uses ‘X’ to indicate voters’ choice.

Why is there a voter serial number on my poll card? At the polling station, why does the Election Official write my voter serial number on the counterfoil of the ballot paper and call out my name before I am issued with a ballot paper?

The voter serial number, as the name depicts, is the number assigned to a voter in the relevant Register of Electors. Writing the voter serial number on the ballot paper counterfoil is required by law. This will enable the authority to check that only eligible voters have voted if there is an order from the Court arising from an election petition. (The Court must be satisfied that votes may have been fraudulently cast, thus affecting the result of the election, before issuing the order.)

Calling out the voter’s serial number and name also allows polling agents, who are observing the proceedings, to validate that the voters are listed in their copy of the register.

Is it an offence to use a taxi or private-hire vehicle to travel to a polling station to vote?

No, it is not. Voters can use a taxi or private-hire vehicle, or be ferried in a private vehicle, to or from a polling station to vote.

What happens if ballot papers are lost or destroyed before they are counted?

If ballot papers go missing or are destroyed before they are counted, there are processes to handle such contingencies spelt out in the law, to maintain integrity of election processes.

Fresh polls will be conducted if the number of votes affects the election results. This is when the sum of the total number of affected voters and the total number of overseas voters from the affected electoral division is equal or more than the difference between the votes already counted for the top two candidates. In such a scenario, all voters assigned to the affected polling station will have to re-cast their votes.

Has a ballot box ever been lost or destroyed?

There was no instance at past elections of lost or damaged ballot boxes prior to them being counted. Consequently, there was no instance of re-polling as a result of loss or destruction of ballot boxes.

Overseas Voting

General

Who can vote overseas?

You can vote overseas at one of the overseas polling stations or vote by post if you:
  1. Are a Singapore citizen living overseas.
  2. Meet the qualifying criteria.
Submit an online application via Voter Services with your Singpass.

Is overseas voting compulsory?

Singaporeans, whose names are in the Registers of Electors (RE) are required to vote.

If they are residing overseas, they may register to vote as an overseas elector either by post or at an overseas polling station if the country that they reside in has one.

Learn more about the qualifying criteria for an overseas elector.

What if I am living overseas and I have changed my NRIC address to an overseas address?

If you change your NRIC address to an overseas address, please register a local contact address in Singapore with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA). Your name can then be entered or retained in the register of the relevant electoral division when the registers are next revised.

The Registers of Electors are compiled by electoral divisions based on electors’ NRIC addresses or, where an NRIC address is overseas, a contact address in Singapore registered with ICA.

Learn more about local contact address (LCA). You may also register for an LCA at the same link using your Singpass.

Are overseas votes counted if they have no impact on the outcome of an election?

All overseas votes are counted. If the overseas votes have no impact on the outcome of the election, the Returning Officer (RO) will declare the candidate to whom the greatest number of votes is given to be elected. After the overseas votes are counted, the final results will be published in the Singapore Government Gazette.

Can I vote overseas by post or at an overseas polling station if I am on holiday on Polling Day?

Voting by post or at an overseas polling station are meant for Singaporeans residing overseas only and does not include local Singaporeans who happen to be overseas on Polling Day, such as those on overseas vacation.

If you are unable to vote in Singapore on Polling Day as you are overseas, your name will be removed from the registers. You can apply to restore your name at Voter Services using your Singpass, so that you can vote at future elections.

How will overseas voting be done at overseas polling stations? Is it different from how voting is done in Singapore?

The polling procedures at the overseas polling stations are similar to those in Singapore. The overseas polls are open for 12 hours from 8.00am to 8.00pm at the local time of the respective cities on Polling Day.

Overseas polls must close not later than the close of polls in Singapore, i.e. 8.00pm (Singapore time) on Polling Day.

Hence, polling at overseas polling stations located in some countries will have to be held one day ahead of the polls in Singapore.

How will I know if my overseas vote has any impact on the election?

If the overseas votes have impact on the outcome i.e. the total number of overseas votes cast for a contested electoral division in a Parliamentary Election, or for a contested Presidential Election, is greater than the difference between the number of local votes polled for the top two candidates or groups of candidates:
  1. The Returning Officer will announce the number of votes cast in Singapore in favour of each candidate.
  2. He will defer the declaration of the candidate elected until the day the overseas votes are counted.
  3. After the overseas votes are counted, the final results will be published in the Singapore Government Gazette.
If the overseas votes have no impact on the outcome of the election, the Returning Officer (RO) will declare the candidate to whom the greatest number of local votes is given to be elected. The overseas votes will still be counted.

Does my spouse who is not a Singaporean need to register a local contact address?

As your spouse is not a Singapore citizen, he or she does not need to register a local contact address. The registration of local contact address is solely for voting purpose.

Registration as an Overseas Voter

I just moved to country X but have not registered myself as an overseas voter. Can I still do so?

If you meet the qualifying criteria and wish to vote overseas at the next election, you can apply to register as an overseas elector at Voter Services using your Singpass.

Registrations as overseas electors are open all-year round. However, registrations will not be processed during the period from the third day after the Writ for an election is issued to Polling Day.

Details on this and other elections-related procedures can be found here.

Can Singaporeans who are not registered as overseas electors be allowed to vote overseas?

Singaporeans who are not registered as overseas electors will not be able to vote by post or at any of the 10 designated overseas polling stations.

What if I have not registered to vote overseas?

You must be registered as an overseas elector to vote by postal voting or at one of the 10 overseas polling stations. You may register to be an overseas elector online at Voter Services with your Singpass. Please check if you meet the qualifying criteria.

Registrations as overseas electors are open all-year-round. Registrations will not be processed during the period from the 3rd day after the Writ of Election is issued until Polling Day. If you are back in Singapore on Polling Day, you may proceed to the allotted Polling Station with your NRIC/passport and poll card to cast your vote.

As an overseas elector, how would I know the date and time to cast my vote if I registered to vote at an overseas polling station?

You will know the date and time to cast your vote via:
  1. a poll letter sent to the overseas address in your registration form. It will state:
    1. the name of your electoral division and
    2. the overseas polling station allotted to you,
    3. the polling date and hours for that overseas polling station
  2. an email with the same information will also be sent to you if you have given us an email address
  3. Singapore media, and
  4. the Elections Department website

Can I register to be an overseas elector when an election is announced?

Yes, you have up to the second day after the Writ of Election is issued to register as an overseas elector. You can do so online at Voter Services using your Singpass, if you meet the qualifying criteria.

Registrations as overseas electors are open throughout the year. However, registrations will not be processed during the period from the 3rd day after the Writ of Election is issued until the Polling Day, if the election is contested.

Can my family member vote on my behalf in Singapore, as I am residing overseas?

You have to vote personally at the allotted polling station. There is no proxy voting in Singapore. This is to maintain voting secrecy.

How would I know if my registration as an overseas elector is successful?

The Elections Department will inform you of the outcome of your registration via email.

You may also login to Voter Services with your Singpass to check your status.

What should I do if I am going to return to Singapore permanently but had earlier registered to be an overseas elector?

Please cancel your registration as an overseas elector online at Voter Services using your Singpass.

Why do I need to stay in Singapore for 30 days in the three years immediately preceding the application date when I am working overseas?

This is required under Section 13A of the Parliamentary Elections Act 1954. The spirit of the law is to allow overseas voting only for overseas Singaporeans who maintain their links back home.

Learn more about the law here.

Local Contact Address

What is a contact address in Singapore?

The contact address in Singapore is also commonly known as local contact address (LCA). This is a contact address in Singapore that you have registered with ICA Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).

The contact address must either be:
  1. the address of any residential property in Singapore that you own an estate or interest in the residential address in Singapore of your spouse, grandparent, parent, sibling, child, grandchild;
  2. any grandparent, parent or sibling of your spouse;
  3. any sibling of any of your parents or your spouse's parents; or
  4. any child of any of your siblings or your spouse's siblings.
  5. You can register your LCA online here using your Singpass.

If I don't have a contact address in Singapore, can I still register to vote overseas?

If you don’t register a contact address in Singapore with Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA), Elections Department (ELD) will not be able to place your name in a Register of Elector. The registers are compiled by electoral divisions based on electors’ NRIC addresses as of the registers’ cut-off date. Hence, you will not be able to register to vote overseas.

How can I register a local contact address (LCA)?

You can register your LCA online here using your Singpass.

Why do I have to register a local contact address (LCA)?

You have to register a local contact address (LCA) with Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) if you have an overseas address on your NRIC.

This will enable Elections Department (ELD) to enter your name in the Register of Electors of an electoral division.

The registers are compiled by electoral division, based on electors’ NRIC addresses as of the registers’ cut-off date.

When can I register a local contact address (LCA) with Immigration Authority and Checkpoints of Singapore (ICA)?

You can register a local contact address with Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) at any time. However, you are advised to register your local contact address early.

Your name can then be entered into a register of electors when the current registers are next revised.

When and how will I be informed of the status of my local contact address (LCA) registration?

You will be notified of the status of your local contact address (LCA) depending on whose residential address you are registering. If you are registering the address of a residential property in Singapore that you own an estate or interest in as your local contact address (LCA), you will be notified of the outcome within seven (7) working days. You may check your status online at Voter Services using your Singpass.

If you are registering the residential address of any family member/relative as your local contact address:
ICA will write to the person concerned by registered mail for confirmation of your relationship with the person, and for the persons’ consent on your use of his address as your LCA.

ICA would need to receive this confirmation within 14 working days, otherwise your application will lapse. ICA will notify you on the outcome upon receipt of confirmation of relationship and consent from the person. You may check your status online at Voter Services using your Singpass.

Can I register my close friend's address as my contact address in Singapore?

No, by law, you are not allowed to use your close friend’s address as a contact address in Singapore.

Will my name be entered into a Register of Electors immediately after my local contact address (LCA) is accepted by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)?

Your name will be entered into a Register of Electors when the registers are next revised. Thereafter, you may apply to be an overseas elector online using your Singpass.

Is it an offence if I do not register a local contact address (LCA)?

Registration of local contact address is optional. If you do not register a local contact address (LCA), your name will not be entered into a Register of Electors. Hence, you will not be eligible to vote in an election in Singapore.

Voting by Post

I am a registered overseas voter. Can I vote in Singapore if I am back in Singapore on Polling Day?

If you are a registered overseas voter and are back in Singapore on Polling Day, you should vote at the polling station in Singapore that is allotted to you. At the polling station, you will have to declare that you have not already voted in the same election before being issued a ballot paper for voting.

Details of your allotted polling station in Singapore are in the poll card, which will be sent to your registered Singapore NRIC address or local contact address. These details are also on your ePoll card, which is accessible on the Singpass app and ELD’s Voter Services using Singpass from Nomination Day, if the election is contested, until Polling Day.

How soon must I mail out my postal ballot paper and return envelope?

Return envelopes containing the postal ballot papers must be postmarked before Polling Day and reach the custody of the Returning Officer in Singapore within 10 days after Polling Day in Singapore to be accepted for counting. Accepting only return envelopes postmarked before Polling Day will ensure that the votes are cast before close of poll in Singapore. Return envelopes with missing postmarks will not be accepted for counting as it will not be possible to determine whether the votes contained within are cast before the close of poll in Singapore.

We encourage all postal voters to mail their return envelopes early and directly back to Singapore so that the return envelopes have the best chance of reaching Singapore by the deadline to be accepted for counting.

If I happen to be back in Singapore on Polling Day, can I vote in Singapore?

If you are in Singapore on Polling Day, you may vote at the polling station in Singapore that is allotted to you. A poll card informing you of your allotted polling station in Singapore will also be mailed to your latest Singapore contact address registered with ICA.

Will my name be removed from the Registers of Electors if my return envelope did not reach Singapore by the 10th day after Polling Day?

Postal voters who have downloaded their postal ballot papers and return envelopes would be deemed as having attempted to vote, and their names will not be removed from the registers of electors even if their return envelopes do not reach the Returning Officer.

How do I know if my return envelope has been received by Elections Department (ELD)?

ELD will notify postal voters via email that their return envelopes have been received by the Returning Officer. Voters may also check the status of their return envelope via ELD’s Voter Services.

Do I need to affix a stamp on my return envelope?

Please affix postage stamp on your return envelope if you are posting from the following regions/countries:
  1. Middle Eastern countries – Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates
  2. Southeast Asian countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam
  3. Others – Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Ghana, India, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan
Based on the postal voting trial conducted by ELD previously, we observed that the postal services in these countries may not postmark a business reply envelope. Affixing a stamp will ensure that the return envelopes will be postmarked by the foreign postal services.

How do I register to vote by post?

You may register online at Voter Services with your Singpass if you meet the qualifying criteria. At the point of registration, you may select to vote either by voting by post, or in-person at one of the 10 overseas polling stations (but not both).

Registration is open all-year-round. However, registrations will not be processed during the period from the 3rd day after the Writ of Election is issued until after Polling Day if the election is contested. If you are back in Singapore on Polling Day, you should proceed to the allotted Polling Station with your NRIC/passport and poll card to cast your vote.

If I have previously registered to vote by post, can I change to vote at an overseas polling station instead?

Yes, you may apply to change your overseas voting modality at Voter Services with your Singpass if you are a registered overseas elector.

However, your application must be submitted before the 3rd day after the Writ of Election is issued, in order for you to vote at an overseas polling station for that election.

Overseas Polling Stations

If I happen to be back in Singapore on Polling Day, can I vote in Singapore?

If you are in Singapore on Polling Day, you may vote at the polling station in Singapore that is allotted to you. A poll card informing you of your allotted polling station in Singapore will also be mailed to your latest Singapore contact address registered with ICA.

If you do not receive your poll card before Polling Day, you may access your ePoll card online at Voter Services using your Singpass.

What if there is no overseas polling station near my overseas address?

If there is no designated polling station in the country where you are residing, you may opt to vote by post or to vote in Singapore.

Will the Elections Department consider setting up more overseas polling stations so that overseas Singaporeans do not have to forfeit his/her right to vote?

We currently have 10 overseas polling stations in Beijing, Canberra, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo and Washington.

The selection of overseas polling stations takes into account several factors. First, there should be a significant number of Singaporeans living in that city and country. Second, the city must have Singapore Government managed facilities which enable our officials to exercise control to ensure that the voting process is carried out in a proper and orderly manner to ensure the integrity of the process. Third, in order to ensure that we are able to optimise our limited resources, the city or country should not be so nearby that Singaporeans can travel back to Singapore to vote on polling day with relative ease.

Alternatively, you may also opt to vote by Post.

If I have previously registered to vote at an overseas polling station, can I change to vote by post instead?

Yes, you may apply to change your overseas voting modality at Voter Services with your Singpass if you are a registered overseas elector.

However, your application must be submitted before the 3rd day after the Writ of Election is issued, in order for you to vote by post for that election.

Singpass

If I do not have a Singpass account, how can I register to vote overseas?

If you do not have a Singpass account, you may register at the Singpass website. With the Singpass account, you can log in to Elections Department (ELD) Voter Services to register as an overseas elector.

If I have forgotten my Singpass password, what should I do?

If you have already set up 2-Step Verification (2FA), you can reset your Singpass password online. If you have not set up 2FA, you can follow the instructions at the Singpass website to request for your Singpass password to be mailed to your registered NRIC address. Please see details on resetting of Singpass password at the Singpass website.

What should I do if I have not received my Singpass password in the mail?

The password and token will be sent to your registered overseas address within 10 working days. This is subject to postal operator delays. If you do not receive it, you may wish to contact the Singpass Helpdesk: +65 6335 3533 or support@singpass.gov.sg.

Registers of Electors

General

What is a Register of Electors?

A Register of Electors is a list of all eligible electors belonging to an electoral division (also known as constituency). There is one register for each electoral division. Electoral divisions are areas within Singapore demarcated for the purpose of elections. There are 2 types of electoral divisions in Singapore and they are the Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). The Registers of Electors are prepared based on the electoral divisions.

The Registers of Electors are compiled from records of NRIC holders kept by the Commissioner of National Registration by applying the qualifying criteria for voter eligibility as of a prescribed date in accordance with section 5 of the Parliamentary Elections Act 1954. The date that the current set of Registers is based on (i.e. the cut-off date) is 1 Jun 2023.

What are the qualifying criteria for a name to be in the Registers of Electors (i.e. can vote in this election)?

Any person who satisfies the following qualifying criteria as of the cut-off date for the Registers of Electors will be entitled to have his name included in the Register of Electors for an electoral division (also known as constituency) corresponding to his address:
  1. is a citizen of Singapore (holder of pink NRIC);
  2. is not less than 21 years of age;
  3. is not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law; and
  4. (i) has a Singapore residential address on his NRIC; or
    (ii) if he is residing overseas, and has changed his NRIC address to an overseas address, has a contact address in Singapore (also known as a Local Contact Address (LCA) registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority).
There is no need to apply to be included in the registers.

The list of voters for this election is based on the Registers of Electors prepared on 1 Jun 2023. Singaporeans who turned 21 years of age after 1 Jun 2023 will not be in the registers.

What information do the Registers of Electors contain?

The Registers of Electors contain the following information on electors:
  1. Name of elector
  2. Gender
  3. NRIC number^
  4. Address (i.e. NRIC address or local contact address for overseas Singaporeans)
  5. Electoral division (i.e. constituency)
  6. Polling district (which is a sub-division of the electoral division)
  7. Serial number of elector (i.e. the unique number for each elector in a polling district of the electoral division)
^Partial NRIC number (e.g. XXXXX123A) is shown in sales copies to better safeguard electors’ personal information in the registers.

What happens if a voter has passed away?

The voter’s name will be removed from the Registers of Electors when they are next revised. Family members of the deceased do not need to take any action.

I am holding a valid NRIC and I think I am qualified to vote so why can't I find my name in the Registers?

Such scenario is likely to happen if you have recently acquired Singapore citizenship or turned 21 years of age after the Registers of Electors were last revised. Your name will only be included in the registers when they are next revised. You will be eligible to vote in future elections.

I am a Singapore citizen residing overseas and my name is not in the Registers of Electors as I have changed my NRIC address to an overseas address after the cut-off date of the current Registers of Electors. Will my name be entered to the Registers upon registering a local contact address?

If your local contact address (LCA) is registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority after the cut-off date, your name will be entered into the registers when they are next revised. For voting purposes, you are strongly encouraged to register your LCA with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority as soon as you have reported an overseas address as your NRIC address.

Claims & Objections

During the 2-week public inspection period of the revised Registers, what should I do if I find discrepancies in my particulars in the revised Registers?

During the inspection period, a person may submit a claim to: (i) include his name in the Registers of Electors (if he considers himself an eligible elector but his name has been omitted); or (ii) update his particulars (i.e. name and NRIC address) in the registers if his particulars in the registers are reflected differently from his NRIC.

The law allows claims for change of address even after the cut-off date. However, the new residential address must first be registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and then a claim must be submitted to the Registration Officer, anytime during and up to the close of the inspection of the revised registers.

If the new residential address is in another electoral division (also known as constituency), your name will be moved to the Register of Electors for the electoral division where your new residential address is.

Non-Voters

Who are non-voters?
How does a non-voter apply to be in the Registers of Electors?

Non-voters are those who failed to cast their votes at the end of the election and had their names removed from the Register of Electors.

To vote in the next election, a non-voter may apply to restore his name at Voter Services using his Singpass.

If he has a valid reason for not voting, ELD will restore his name to the registers free of charge. Otherwise, an administrative fee of $50.00 will be levied. Application for restoration of name to the Registers of Electors should be done early as no restoration can be made once a Writ for an election is issued. If a non-voter has not restored his name to the registers, he cannot vote in future elections, and is also disqualified from being a candidate.

What would be regarded as an acceptable reason for not voting?
Do I need to pay an administrative fee in order to restore my name?

Some examples of acceptable reasons for not voting are:
  1. Residing overseas;
  2. Overseas for work, studies, vacation, etc.;
  3. Medical reasons.
If you have a valid reason for not voting, you can apply to have your name restored to the registers and ELD will do so free of charge. Otherwise, an administrative fee of $50.00 will be levied. There is no need to enclose documentary proof at the point of submitting the application. These supporting documents will only be needed upon request by ELD.

My wife is expected to give birth on Polling Day. What happens if she is unable to vote? Can warded patients in hospitals choose to vote at the hospitals?

As there is no voting facility provided at hospitals, voters who are hospitalised and are unable to vote will have their names removed from the registers.

You may apply to restore your name at Voter Services using Singpass so that you can vote at future elections. As hospitalisation is regarded as a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied when you submit your application.

Application for restoration of name to the Registers of Electors should be done early as no restoration can be made once a Writ for an election is issued.

What if I fail to vote at an election as I was overseas on holiday, away on a business trip, etc.?

If you are unable to vote on Polling Day as you are overseas, your name will be removed from the registers. You may apply to restore your name at Voter Services using your Singpass so that you can vote at future elections. As you have a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied when you submit your application.

Application for restoration of name to the Registers of Electors should be done early as no restoration can be made once a Writ for an election is issued.

Can I apply for restoration of my name to the Registers of Electors now so that I can vote at the coming election?

You are strongly encouraged to have your name restored at the earliest opportunity. This will ensure that you can exercise your vote at an election. However, once a Writ of Election is issued, you will not be able to restore your name until after Nomination Day (if the election is not contested) or after Polling Day (if the election is contested).

The current Registers of Electors are compiled by electoral divisions (also known as constituencies) based on electors’ addresses as of 1 Jun 2023. If you changed your address after that date, your new address will be reflected in the registers only when the registers are next updated. Hence, if an election is called before the registers are updated, you will be allocated to vote at a polling station in the electoral division where your previous address comes under.

Do I need to show proof why I did not vote?

The Elections Department will accept your reason for failing to vote, as declared on your application. You may provide one of the following relevant documents if you have:

  1. An employer’s letter or educational institution’s letter or marriage certificate, if you are overseas for work, study or accompanying spouse.
  2. Documents showing that you are overseas for vacation or for business. E.g. receipt from travel agent/hotel, air ticket, or a letter from your employer.
  3. A medical certificate, hospital bill or the child’s birth certificate in the case of health reasons.

Purchase of Registers of Electors

Why are political parties, election candidates and election agents allowed to purchase and use information in the Registers of Electors?

The law allows political parties, election candidates and their election agents to use the information recorded in the Registers of Electors (e.g. elector’s name and address) for the sole purpose of communicating with electors. They cannot use the information for commercial or other purposes.

When using the information in the Registers of Electors, they must also comply with the provisions under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Please see details in the Advisory Guidelines on Application of PDPA to Election Activities published by the Personal Data Protection Commission.

Can political parties, election candidates and election agents disclose information in the Registers of Electors to other persons?

Political parties, election candidates and election agents can disclose the information to another person only after having obtained a written acknowledgement from the other person that he will not use the information for commercial purposes and will confine its use to communicating with electors.

In addition, they must comply with the provisions under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Please see details in the Advisory Guidelines on Application of PDPA to Election Activities published by the Personal Data Protection Commission.

Other than political parties, election candidates and their election agents, who else can purchase a copy of the Registers of Electors?

Only political parties, election candidates and their election agents can purchase a copy of the Registers of Electors for use to communicate with electors.