Candidates interested in running for the Presidential Election (PE) in Singapore can now begin the application process by applying for a Certificate of Eligibility starting from Tuesday, June 13. This initial step is required to participate in the presidential race, along with the submission of a community declaration. The Elections Department (ELD) has announced that the application period for the Certificate of Eligibility and community declarations will close on the fifth day after the Writ of Election is issued. Late applications will not be accepted.
Certificate of Eligibility and Community Declaration
The Certificate of Eligibility serves as a certification of the candidate’s integrity, good character, reputation, and compliance with the relevant public or private sector service requirements. To qualify, prospective candidates must have held a senior public office or led a company with at least S$500 million (US$370 million) in shareholders’ equity for a minimum of three years. Additionally, candidates must be Singapore citizens, at least 45 years old on Nomination Day, and not affiliated with any political party.
The Presidential Elections Committee, chaired by Mr. Lee Tzu Yang, the chairman of the Public Service Commission, will evaluate candidates and issue the Certificate of Eligibility. Alongside this, candidates must submit a community declaration to the Community Committee, chaired by Mr. Edward D’Silva. The community declaration requires candidates to declare their affiliation with the Chinese, Malay, Indian, or Other Minority communities. If an applicant does not identify with any of the above communities, they may state so in their community declaration, and the Community Committee will either accept the declaration or request a submission for one of the communities.
Reserved Elections and Community Representation
While the upcoming presidential election is open to candidates from all races, the community declaration plays a crucial role in determining when the next reserved election will be held. If no candidate from a specific community is elected as President for five consecutive terms, the subsequent election will be reserved for that community. This ensures fair representation and inclusivity within the presidential office.
As the application period for the Singapore Presidential Election opens, potential candidates are required to complete the necessary steps, including obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility and submitting a community declaration. The evaluation process, overseen by the Presidential Elections Committee and the Community Committee, ensures that candidates meet the eligibility criteria and contributes to community representation in the office of the President. With the closing of applications and the subsequent election, Singaporeans will eagerly await the outcome of this significant democratic process.
