PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (Nomination date)

Column: 604

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:

(Nomination date): 16.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) if the Presidential election will be held this year and, if so, has the nomination date been selected; and (b) will there be any publicity to encourage more qualified Singaporeans to present themselves for nomination so that the Presidential election will not be another walkover event like the previous one.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng) (for the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Constitution requires a Presidential election to be held this year, any time from June to August. Election will start with the issue of the writ by the Prime Minister. The nomination date will be specified in the writ. The Prime Minister has not yet decided on the date for the writ to be issued.

Under the Presidential Elections Act, any person who wants to stand for election to the office of the President must apply to the Presidential Elections Committee for a certificate of eligibility. They must do so from 31st May 2005, ie, three months before the expiration of the term of the incumbent President, but not later than three days after the issue of the writ. I am sure the media will give wide publicity when the Presidential Elections Committee starts inviting those interested to apply for the certificate of eligibility

Column:605

later this month. The Government does not determine how many persons will apply for the certificate of eligibility. It is up to qualified Singaporeans to come forward to present themselves as candidates.